A home should provide safety and comfort without fear. However, when unexpected storms and intense weather approach, it can leave homeowners feeling helpless against catastrophic damage.
So, here are the different types of storm damage and tips for identifying them. At the end of the day, you deserve to feel protected in your home.
Hail Damage
Hail can occur at any time during a storm. However, hail damage isn’t always visible after a storm passes. Signs of hail damage include dented shingles, cracked windows, damaged exterior pipes, and roof vents. The level of impact from hail damage can vary depending on the storm’s intensity and the roofing materials.
Furthermore, hail’s impact on asphalt roofs can result in faded granules and roof-felt exposure. This can cause asphalt roofing to lose its shine and visual aesthetic. So, it’s crucial to prepare before an intense storm.
Repair Methods
Thankfully, most hail damage to a roof can be remedied with high-quality roofing materials. Most quality roofs can withstand hail pellets ranging between 0.2″ to 1.75″ in size.
Home insurance is a helpful tool for handling hail damage. Filing a claim after a hailstorm can protect you from liability. You should also assess the damage to surrounding property, including vehicles, outdoor furniture, and more.
Wind Damage
Wind damage is one of the most frustrating types of storm damage, as high winds can result in roof, property, and vehicle damage. Strong winds can cause trees to collapse, tear roofs off buildings and homes, and snap power lines. Severe winds can also damage doors, windows, and other parts of your home’s exterior.
Winds can exceed frighteningly fast speeds, so it’s crucial to prepare your home ahead of time. High winds usually accompany storms, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, that can cause catastrophic damage to residential and commercial buildings.
Repair Methods
Preparing for high winds can save you time and money on repairs. In addition, preparing ahead of time can prevent broken items and property, so make sure to fix shingles, repair damaged furniture, treat broken windows, and more.
You want to fortify your home and fences with sturdy materials, bring in outdoor furniture and appliances, and assess the situation after the storm passes. Calling in experts for cleanup and restoration can help bring your home back to its strong, reliable state.
Hurricane Damage
Hurricanes are stress-inducing storms that leave residents feeling scared. In addition, the destruction of a hurricane can result in powerful storm surges and oversized waves, destroying properties, damaging bridges and roads, and causing erosion.
Furthermore, hurricane winds can reach up to 74 miles per hour or more, which can demolish mobile homes and buildings. Debris, such as roofing materials, sidings, signs, and smaller items left outdoors, can become dangerous high-speed projectiles.
Repair Methods
If your property has been impacted by a hurricane, it’s essential that you, your family, and your home get care and protection. Contacting an inspection professional can help determine the damage to your property. They’ll inspect any leaks, flooding, impact damage, and surrounding damage during the storm.
Thankfully, many restoration services provide cleanup, inspection, and restoration services to help homeowners create a plan of action to help get their homes back to their original state. Furthermore, preparing your home for future hurricanes can reduce potential damage. For example, inspecting pipes and drains, moving outdoor furniture and objects indoors, and locking all openings can help protect your home from substantial damage.
Flooding and Water Damage
Water damage and flooding are common occurrences during storms. While not all water damage results in leaks that can impact the interior of your house, some heavy storms can result in water accumulation outside your home, which can enter your home via the front door. Furthermore, water damage can also affect the floor, wall, roof, and ceiling.
Flooding damage can destroy a home within a few minutes. Water soaks into porous materials and can cause significant structural damage, resulting in a ruined house. Additionally, clogged gutters can retain water, causing water to slip through cracks in your roof, developing mold in the shingles.
Repair Methods
Thankfully, water damage repair isn’t complicated. For example, you can easily repaint damaged walls. Painting with water-resistant paint can help prevent your walls from further damage during future storms.
Furthermore, disconnect any outlets, dry out the water with a dehumidifier, and remove damaged materials from the room. You can then call a professional restoration company to inspect and identify the source of flooding. Lastly, they’ll help treat any mold that accumulates in your home.
Impact Damage
During an intense storm, debris and large objects can crash unexpectedly into your home. Impact damage is another type of storm damage that can have catastrophic outcomes. For example, fallen trees and other debris can result from strong winds blowing them onto various structures or objects. This can include houses, equipment, vehicles, and more, which can become a costly loss.
Repair Methods
One way to ensure that your home remains protected against impact damage is through outdoor preparation. Firstly, you can start by trimming back trees to prevent them from falling on your property or building away from large trees. You can also get old trees removed, as they might not hold up against strong winds compared to larger, stronger trees.
Removing and trimming back trees ahead of time can save you time and money on repairs. However, if your home has already suffered impact damage, contacting your insurance provider can help you claim damage compensation. Furthermore, contact emergency services, vacate the building, and get your contractor to assess the damage. Depending on the damage, you may need to relocate until repairs are complete.
At Full Circle Restoration, we understand that storms and unexpected weather can damage homes. We offer our services for all types of damage, from fire and smoke damage to mold remediation. We provide storm damage restoration in Boise, ID resulting from high winds, heavy rainfall, and flying debris. Our inspection process and cleanup services help you feel safe and comfortable in your home again. If you have any questions about our restoration services, contact our professional team today.
