What You Should Know About Storm Damage

storm damage

Photo By:; skeeze | Pixabay

 

 

Everything can change in the blink of an eye when storms roll through. Storms, whether they are hailstorms or thunderstorms, can leave behind massive destruction. Feeling stressed and overwhelmed after a storm is normal. The good news for you is people have been through storm damage before, and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Learning what to do before, during, and after a storm will help you deal with storm damage.

Make Sure the Area is Safe

If you had to leave your home during the storm, the first thing you want to do is make sure it is safe to reenter. You should never declare your home safe on your own. A professional should come out and look over your home to make sure there are no hazards that could cause harm to you or your family.

Assess the Damage

Once a professional inspector gives you the okay to enter your home, you will want to assess the damage. You should look at the roof, HVAC system, basement, floor, and walls. Some common damage to look for is:

  • Missing shingles
  • Holes in roof, ceiling, walls, or floors
  • Leaks in your roof or ceiling
  • Dents in gutters, vents, or flashing
  • Split seams

If you see any damage to these or other areas be sure to take pictures for insurance purposes.

Make Temporary Repairs

Unless you are a professional, you should never do any storm repairs. You can, however, make temporary repairs. For example, if you have water coming into your home, you can try and find the source and stop it temporarily. You may also have to board up some areas to help prevent subsequent damage. Making small or temporary repairs will help ensure there is no further damage.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Before contacting your insurance company, you will want to make sure you have storm damage insurance. Having storm damage insurance is crucial, even if you do not live in an area where storms often hit. Once you have determined whether you have storm damage insurance or not, you will want to contact your insurance agent. Your insurance agent will help you make a claim. After filing the claim, make sure to stay in contact with your insurance company. You may run into issues with the contractor you hire. Your insurance company should be able to work with you to ensure you aren’t scammed by a disreputable company.

Hire a Storm Restoration Company

After storms hit, there will be different restoration companies knocking on your door. Some of these companies will be reliable, while others may make estimates and promises that they know they cannot keep. When it comes to selecting a storm restoration company, make sure to do your homework. Research reputable companies in your area by looking online or asking friends and family. Once you have decided on a few possibilities, get an estimate from each company and see which ones are covered by your insurance. Be sure that you pick a company that fits your needs and budget.

Contact Us!

MD Restoration has been servicing the Maryland area for years. We know that storm damage is never easy to deal with. We will work with you and keep you in the loop about your storm restoration process. For more information about our storm damage restoration contact us today!

Baltimore Storm Prep Basics

Baltimore storm prep tends to focus on things like having an action plan and keeping your first aid kit prepped. While these are tips that you absolutely do need to focus on, they’re about your family. There are storm preparations that you should make to protect your home as well. These Baltimore storm prep tips will keep your house safe all season long.

summer-50878_1920-1

Seal your basement

The first thing that you should do to prepare for winter storms is to seal your basement. You can use a simple sealant to touch up any seams that may be left exposed. This is best for a basement that’s already been professionally sealed. However, if you haven’t sealed your basement, reach out to a contractor and get this done. You especially want to have it completed before any big winter storms strike. If a storm does strike, go to a hardware store and do your best to seal the basement. Keeping water out of your basement is a primary goal of storm prep tips.

Check your roof

This is also better if you tackle it in advance. Small imperfections in your roof often lead to big problems down the line. A professional roof inspection in the fall helps save you a lot of money in the spring. However, if it’s too late and a storm is barreling down on you, immediately check the inside of your attic or top floor for trouble. If you see spreading discoloration or other issues, string up a tarp. Most importantly, catching and containing leaks is the next best thing to preventing them entirely.

Wrap those pipes

Storms in Baltimore often bring in nasty weather. For example, sudden cold spells that cause major damage to your pipes. Because of this, it’s important to wrap and insulate any pipes that aren’t naturally heated by your heating system. Unknowingly, these pipes are everywhere: inside of walls, in basements and attics, and outside. In addition, keep keep these toasty with spray on insulation foam, electrical wrappers, and even space heaters if you have to. Frozen pipes can bulge, split, and spew tons of water into your home. Nip these problems in the bud by keeping your pipes well protected from the elements.

Document your house

If a major storm is bearing down on you, don’t just kick back. Document the state of your home before the storm. You never know what’s going to go wrong, and it’s hard to anticipate disaster. Try to get just a few general shots of the outside and inside of your home. Moreover, pay special attention to the roof and the basement, as these areas sustain the most damage during a storm or a flood. Handling your insurance company can be messy; having accurate “Before” and “After” pictures can dramatically smooth your claims process.

In conclusion, Baltimore storm prep basics tend to focus on food, medicine, and an emergency radio. Follow those tips to keep your family safe. Remember, document your home’s condition before the storm, wrap your pipes, and check on your basement and roof to keep your home safe. A little preparation can go a long way.

[callback]