Steps to Take Immediately After a Storm Damages Your Home
October 12, 2022
Insurance doesn’t always cover you after extensive storm damage, nor does it provide immediate relief during a disaster situation. You may not think much about the possibility of a devastating storm in the hopes it will never happen, but you do need to be prepared for what to do when a major storm hits. Regardless of whether or not your insurance company will step in and handle things for you, there are a few preparations you can make for immediate relief after suffering storm damage.
- Typical storm damage is caused by wind, which can remove shingles and damage siding. Such damage needs to be repaired immediately to protect your home against any further storms.
- Further damage can be caused by hail, which will destroy the exterior of your house. The best way to deal with hail damage is to have an experienced and trustworthy contractor you can call for quick repairs which are reasonably priced.
- Indoor flooding can potentially condemn your home, so if water comes inside during a storm it needs to be removed immediately. You can expect there to be further damage after the water is removed, but the immediate priority is to get the water out and keep excess damage to a minimum.
After a storm damages your home, the first priority is the safety and well being of yourself and your family. Quick repairs may save your house, but first you have to get your family to safety. Find a family member, close friend, or even a hotel room to assure a safe place to sleep. File a report with your local emergency assistance teams and contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to mitigate the expenses, but never forget how your health and the health of your family is far more valuable than the monetary worth of the house. Your first priority after a storm is to find safety.
If your home has suffered severe storm damage and you are looking for a professional property restoration company to assess the situation, contact MGM Restoration today!
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Storm damages can occur on your property in many ways including flooding caused by extremely heavy rain showers, hurricanes and tidal surges on your property, wind damages from tornados, wildfire damages, ice, and snow storms in the winter months. When tragedy hits, you should follow a storm damage cleanup schedule to protect yourself. Document the Storm Damages Your documentation is important for reporting damages to your insurance company and getting quotes for restoring your damaged items properly. Snap photos with your camera on your phone of all damages and you can also take notes later to support your photos. Check your property over thoroughly for damages no matter how small. Take photos of damaged parts of your roof, on the exterior of your home and any other structures on your property, such as garages, storage buildings and playhouses for your kids. Document all broken windows from storm damages and all broken uprooted or damaged trees as well as any other landscaping features on your property. Call your property insurance agency to begin your claim. In the case of severe damage, ask your insurance agent if you are covered to stay in a hotel temporarily until repairs are made and you can access your home again. Personal Safety Mark areas on your property that could potentially be hazardous to people and pets. For example, use lawn paint to draw a circle around a damaged tree that could fall or hanging limbs that could fall on a person or pet. Advise your family not to enter into the circle around any objects outside. You may want to take pets out on their leashes to avoid these problem areas and keep them safe. If your home is severely damaged, make certain it is safe to enter before you collect family heirlooms, photographs, and important papers. Check with your local emergency officials to make certain that the drinking water is safe and access your local road closures. In the case that you need to leave your home, you want to make sure that you know which routes to take. If you need a property restoration company , contact the team at MGM Restoration today.
A house fire is terrifying because the flames can cause serious bodily harm, resulting in serious injury and even death. As relieved as homeowners are after the fire has been put out, unfortunately, the flames alone are not the only potential source of serious health issues. Fires leave behind soot, smoke, corrosive byproducts and possibly even mold; all of which can negatively affect your health. It is extremely important that you know the risks caused by the byproducts of a fire. Following these tips for post-disaster home restorations will help keep you and your family safe following the aftermath of a fire. Structure Stability The first and one of the most important things to remember following a fire is that the structure of your home may be compromised. There may be several hidden hazards that you aren’t aware of, so always have a professional inspection before you enter the property and only go in when it has been deemed safe to do so. Wear Protective Gear Before entering your home following a fire, it is important to put on protective equipment, including an approved respirator. Smoke inhalation is extremely dangerous because of the chemicals it contains, including toxins such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide itself is more than 30 times more toxic than carbon monoxide and inhaling a combination of both toxins can be fatal. Protective gear will also protect your skin, eyes, and lungs from soot and mold. Make A Plan Before starting any of the restoration work it is essential that you have a post-disaster plan, which should include the supplies and methods necessary to complete the work and where to dispose of the materials from the clean-up. The first call you should make is to your insurance company because most insurance companies require claims be filed immediately after a disaster. After calling your insurance company, contact a company that specializes in home restorations following a disaster. Not only will most restoration companies work with your insurance company, but it is the safest way to complete the clean-up. A restoration company will have the materials and equipment necessary to safely and effectively clean-up the water, smoke, soot, and mold. If a fire breaks out in your home, first and foremost make sure everyone is safely evacuated and do not return to your home until it has been completely restored and deemed to be safe. If you've recently suffered from storm damage , contact the experts at MGM Restoration today for all your property restoration needs.
When a storm rolls in, the wind can cause significant amounts of damage to your home. Whether you’re now dealing with a few missing shingles, broken windows, or flooding in the basement, you’ll want to know where you stand and what to do. Fortunately, help is available. You Need Professional Assessment and Repairs A few tree limbs in the yard may not be cause for concern, but if there’s any damage to the home, it’s best to hire a professional to come in to assess the damage. In some cases, the worst damage is unseen. If you leave these problems untreated, you’ll have bigger problems in the future. An assessment should be affordable, and you can then make an informed decision about repairs. Insurance May Cover the Cost of Repairs Storm damage is the perfect time to call on the insurance company for a bit of help. You’ll have to pay the deductible, but most companies cover many different types of damage. However, if you live in an area that’s more likely to have hurricanes or flooding, those damages might be excluded unless you’ve added a rider onto your plan. Many contractors work directly with insurance companies for payment. Insurance May Not Cover All Costs People are often surprised when the insurance company doesn’t pay for the entire cost of repairs. That’s because the company only pays the amount that the damaged property was worth. For instance, shingle roofs typically last only 20-25 years. If your 18-year-old roof was damaged in a storm, the insurance company won’t pay the full price of a brand new roof. After all, you would have had to pay your own money to replace it soon. Homeowners are usually able to make a decision about repairs after learning how much the insurance will cover. If your home’s been damaged, it’s smart to have it fixed as soon as possible, contact MGM Restoration today for all your storm damage needs.
