Storm Damage: What To Do Next

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From Public Domain Pictures

If your area gets hit by a particularly severe storm, everything it leaves behind can turn your domestic life on its head. Seeing the damage done to your house can be extremely overwhelming, and the task of getting it back to normal can be a heavy weight on your mind. For example, if your roof gets damaged during the storm, you should try and make sure that you get it fixed as soon as you can (you can check out this site here for a roofing company: Excelroofers.com). However, it can put you in a horrible position when you wonder will your house be fixed, or how long it will take to be fixed. Although the situation may be getting you down, careful planning and a proactive attitude will get things back on track as soon as possible. Here’s what to do following a storm.

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From Pixabay

As always, the safety of you and your family should come first. Your home may have been partially flooded, struck by lightning, or taken heavy damage from strong winds, in which case, you’ll need to contact a Storm Damage Repair company to fix the damage. If you have small children, I would recommend not taking them home until all of the damage has been repaired. It can be really upsetting seeing your home in pieces, even for an adult, so bear in mind how a child would feel about that situation. It also might not be safe for you or your family to return home before the repairs have been done, so this is something else that you may need to consider. One thing’s for sure, after a storm has hit, safety always has to be your top priority. Open areas of the home, mold, and live power lines can all be potential safety hazards. Unless you’re 110% sure that the damage isn’t too severe, then it’s usually best to leave your home until you can get a clearer evaluation. Call up some relatives or friends who may be willing to put you up, or look into staying at a hotel until you’ve got a full evaluation of the damage. It might also help to consult professionals to get an idea of how to tackle the process of rebuilding your home. Websites similar to http://homedamagerestore.com/knoxville/ can get you in touch with professionals. In the worst case scenario, you can probably find a local emergency shelter to use. Take a few days’ worth of supplies, but don’t endanger yourself by retrieving anything from your house.

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From Pexels

Once you know it’s safe to do so, you should make a start on documenting damage. This is especially important if your home insurance will only cover certain kinds of damage. Take several photos of any instances of damage, and be careful not to leave anything out. There’ll probably be some big, obvious damage to the exterior of the home. For example, if you’ve got some roof damage, you’ll have to get a Roofing Company round to fix it. It’s better to get the damage fixed sooner rather than later. If the damage to the roof is severe, you have a few options for repair. If your insurance company will pay out, it might be worth getting a completely new roof, rather than just repairing the few broken tiles. Check out WDR Metal Roofing Austin to see what the benefits of metal roofing are, it might be the perfect option for your home. Aside from that, you need to document any mold, drywall damage or power lines that may have become exposed. As an extra precaution, try to dig out some pictures of your home in a normal, undamaged state. This may all sound a little much. However, having a lot of evidence will give you the best shot at your insurance coming through. You can find a more complete guide at What Happens Now.

Once all this is done, you can get started on the actual restoration process. If your insurance company will cover the damage in question, they’ll probably send over an adjuster to confirm everything, and hopefully approve your claim. If not, then you may have to go to a separate restoration company. These firms will send over trained inspectors to gather evidence, liaise with your insurer, and press them for a claim. They’ll also organize for contractors to come over and get to work on the damage that’s been done. Sometimes, if the storm only caused significant damage to one part of the home, restoration may be as simple as hiring a service like Texas Star Roofing. In the majority of cases though, it’s better to go for a claim.

Hopefully, you read this post as a precaution, and will never have to actually use it! However, if your home has taken heavy damage, I hope I’ve helped you turn it around quickly.

Once all this is done, you can get started on the actual restoration process. If your insurance company will cover the damage in question, they’ll probably send over an adjuster to confirm everything, and hopefully approve your claim. If not, then you may have to go to a separate water damage restoration service. These firms will send over trained inspectors to gather evidence, liaise with your insurer, and press them for a claim. They’ll also organize for contractors to come over and get to work on the damage that’s been done. Sometimes, if the storm only caused significant damage to one part of the home, restoration may be as simple as hiring a service like Texas Star Roofing. In the majority of cases though, it’s better to go for a claim.