Storm damage affects every household across the world. Your home could get caught in a storm today and have some sort of damage. Even though the chance of weather damage is possible, it’s not hard to look for. Find out how to properly inspect the home for storm damage so that you know what to look for later and how to fix issues.
Check the Roof for Damage
Your roof might be the first thing you look at when walking outside the next hour or day after a storm. Check the top for missing shingles, cracks, holes, and debris. Address any of these immediately to avoid further damage.
If there are any missing shingles, then there’s likely damage. Contact a roofer if you need help looking for where the tiles might be missing. A roofer can help find any tiles sticking up—shingles sticking up indicate that the wind has broken the cladding bond.
Check the Walls and Ceiling for Leaks
A storm causes all kinds of damage. Often the best way to look for weather-related problems is to inspect the interior and exterior of the home. If most of your house is fine, but you find random spots where leaks have sprung up in the past few weeks, start searching for the source.
You can usually check for leaks near faucets, sewer drains, walls, and ceilings. The leak you find might be easy to repair if it’s under the sink. However, if you start noticing water stains on ceilings and walls, that’s how to know that a leaking roof is an emergency. Don’t think there’s no hope for your house if the leaks worsen, though. At this point, you only need to contact a construction company for advice on moving forward.
Check the Windows for Cracks and Broken Glass
Checking for broken glass and cracks in the windows is another thing to inspect. Before assessing the area, ensure you walk around the perimeter with closed-toed shoes to avoid injury. If your windows have severe damage, contact your insurance company to report this. Calling your home insurance agent can help cover the cost of window replacement.
Now that you know how to inspect a home for storm damage, you should consider spending time preventing potential damage from striking again. Also, check in with family and friends to ensure they’re fine after a storm and help them spot storm damage.
