Damage to your home or building after a storm can be devastating and overwhelming. Depending on the severity, you could be dealing with anything from missing shingles to a flooded basement caused by heavy, sustained rainfall.
Many parts of the U.S. experience unpredictable weather, and Colorado is among the states known for weather extremes. If you experience sudden hailstorms, torrential rain, freezing or severe thunderstorms, or high winds, you might be vulnerable to storm damage and need help. Companies like Advanced 24/7 Restoration can help with cleaning up and restoring your home after a storm.
This blog will explain storm damage, what to look for after a storm, and the steps to protect your property and start the recovery process.
Types of Storm Damage
Damage to your home or commercial buildings can come in many forms. Below are the most common:
Wind: Winds from hurricanes can cause noticeable damage to your home. Hurricane-force winds are categorized as 74mph or greater, and meteorologists classify gale-force winds as 39-54 mph. Winds of this velocity and force will cause noticeable damage to your roof and other parts of your home.
Even less severe storms with sudden gusts and unpredictable winds can peel up shingles or lift the edges of a commercial flat roof. Once that happens, the seals are broken, and wind-driven rain can start flowing in.
Hailstorms: According to the National Weather Service, hail rarely lasts 15 minutes. However, hailstones can leave dents and pockmarks in shingles and break shingles loose. This type of damage can significantly decrease the aesthetic appeal outside your home.
Standing water: Roofs without proper drainage can develop pools of water after a storm. Rainwater can get backed up from clogged gutters and flow back into the underlay of your roof.
Debris: Broken tree limbs, sticks, bark, and other debris can end up on your roof or scattered around your property after a storm. This debris can dent shingles, tear siding, and leave your home vulnerable to water intrusion.
1. Assess the Storm Damage Safely
After a storm has ripped through, the first thing to do is assess the damage. This is especially important if you were forced to leave your home for safety reasons and are returning. The five steps you can take after storm damage are the following:
- Do a visual walk of your property: Visually walk your property inside and out, and assess the extent of the damage and what potentially needs to be repaired.
- Take pictures of the damage: Your phone is the easiest way to take photos of the damage to your home and property. The more photos you take, the better you can document the extent of the damage.
- Document everything: Take a notebook or use a phone app to document roof damage, standing water, window cracks, torn siding, flooding, and other damage. Be thorough because you’ll likely need it later.
2. Prevent Further Damage Immediately
After you’ve walked the property and assessed the extent of storm damage, you should focus on preventing any further damage until you hire a storm damage contractor to restore it.
- Cover broken windows and doors: To prevent further damage, cover broken windows, doors, and siding with tarps.
- Shut off water and electricity: Shut off water and electricity, mainly if flooding occurs, to avoid dangerous or deadly accidents.
- Move furniture and valuables out of affected areas: If you have furniture and other valuables in the affected areas, remove them to a safer location.
- Save receipts if you purchase emergency supplies: Insurance may reimburse them.
3. Contact Your Homeowners Insurance Provider
If you find damage to your property and home after a storm, you must involve your homeowner’s insurance provider so you can quickly and effectively file a claim. Your insurance provider may send an assessor or inspector to evaluate the storm damage firsthand, but having detailed notes and photographs from your assessment can make a big difference.
A trusted storm damage restoration company can also help you file your claim and ensure you receive fair compensation based on the documented damage. This is a critical stage, and handling the insurance claim process can make all the difference in how well the restoration work is completed and what gets covered.
4. Schedule a Storm Damage Professional Inspection
The next step is to contact a trusted storm damage restoration specialist. While your DIY inspection is a great start, many homeowners miss hidden or structural issues that only an experienced professional will catch. Working with a qualified restoration expert ensures the best possible outcome for your insurance claim and the cleanup and restoration of your property.
Be cautious of “storm chaser” contractors who flood into hard-hit areas after major storms. These opportunists often make big promises, collect a deposit, and disappear, leaving homeowners with incomplete work and lost money. Always choose a licensed, local company with a proven reputation.
5. Storm Damage Repair Services
A full-service restoration company will provide storm damage repair services and can include many specialists with different skill sets.
- Roof tarping and repair: Restoration specials will likely start with the roof by tarping to prevent further damage and then embarking on the repair.
- Siding and window replacement: Broken windows are a safety hazard, and the restoration specialist will replace broken glass in windows or doors.
- Water extraction and structural drying: Water extraction and drying are critical to securing your property and mitigating further damage.
- Debris removal and cleanup: Cleaning up debris allows you to gain visibility and might reveal hidden damage.
- Mold prevention and mitigation: Dangerous mold can grow anywhere there is water. A mold remediation specialist will remove any mold.
Need Storm Damage Repair in Denver? We’re Ready to Help
Are you looking for storm damage repair services near Denver? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Advanced 24/7 Restoration provides emergency services for all storm damage repairs and restoration.
We provide water damage cleanup, fire damage cleanup, and mold remediation services, to name a few. We’re available 24/7 at (720) 722-4777 for an emergency response. Our teams of specialists respond anytime, day or night.