How to Inspect Your Home After a Storm

9/27/2021 (Permalink)

Lightning behind a house.

When a storm hits your house, many bad things can happen. Nature is unpredictable and often out of our control. Because it has such destructive capabilities, once it passes, the first thing you need to do is check for any damage. Here is an extensive list that will provide information on how to inspect your home after a storm. Do not postpone the process, or you might end up regretting it later.

Do an exterior visual inspection

One of the indicators that there might be some storm damage on your house is finding debris on the roof. Even if you only see a couple of smaller branches, it is crucial to note it. There might be a larger branch that you cannot see.

Furthermore, check if there are any missing shingles from the roof. If you notice that the sun rays bounce off the roof in an unusual way, that means some shingles might be broken. The same applies to your chimney, soffits, fascias, and gutters.

Another vital part of the exterior inspection is to check for large watermarks on the exterior walls. Heavy rain can cause cracks in walls, and damp spots are an indicator of that. With that in mind, also look for holes or dents in exterior walls. Even the slightest damage can quickly escalate if you don't focus your attention on it.

If you find traces of the storm on the outside of your home, it is crucial to call the Santa Clarita Storm Damage Restoration team.

Check the interior and inside walls for water damage

If the exterior water isolation did not do its job, you will see damp spots on the interior walls. Water damage restoration is necessary. You don't want to risk a minor issue becoming a flood that will completely destroy the interior of your home.

Continue to check your walls, both inside and outside of your home. Do a quick inspection for the next couple of days, and see if the damp spots are disappearing or not.

Do not forget to check any cracks or crawl spaces for signs of water damage. Whether in the basement, attic, or rooms, everything needs to be thoroughly inspected.

Inspect windows and doors

Even if you don't see any windows broken, you need to look for subtle issues. Small cracks or loose panes are a sign that your windows need to be repaired. If you have double-glass windows, check for the water inside the glass. That could indicate a small crack that you did not see during the first inspection.

If the storm was intense, doors could also have loose hinges. Check for squeaking or potential problems when opening and closing doors. Also, look for signs of water damage. Wood can quickly deteriorate and rot when wet.

What to do if the interior is damaged

When a heavy storm hits, it often breaks the windows and causes interior damage. Depending on the size of the damage and the number of destroyed belongings, you might need to renovate the entire place.

If that happens, you might want to consider hiring movers to move any furniture not affected by the storm. Look for Santa Clarita experts from the neighborhood and ask them what the best option is. Movers often have storage units at their disposal. Consider renting a unit to store anything still in one piece. You can return it once the repairs are completed.

Inspect the backyard and front yard

Strong winds often cause problems with electric cables around your house. Check the pylons for tilting, and make sure there are no damaged cables. If there is a tree close to the wires, make sure nothing is stuck in the branches. If you find issues with the wires, call a professional to solve the problem.

Another reason to check the trees is to make sure there are no branches close to falling off. Make sure you are not standing directly below the tree when performing this inspection.

Also, check the fence around the house. If there are any broken boards, put that on the list of necessary fixes. In case you have an iron fence, chances are, everything will be in place.

How to prepare your home for an incoming storm

If you have a bad experience with storms, it is crucial to learn how to prepare for them.

• When it comes to the exterior, trim the trees and remove any branches that could cause problems.
• Lock the fence, so the door does not open. Also, check if there are any boards in the fence that need to be screwed in tighter.
• Take a wide tape and place an X on all large windows. It might be a bit more challenging to clean it after. However, in case any of the windows break, the tape will hold the glass in place.
• Bring any of the outdoor furniture inside, and place it in the middle of the room. You can do the same with the inside furnishings; just move them away from the windows. Anything that can be easily affected and moved by the wind should be placed inside.
• Another valuable piece of advice is to clean gutters regularly. In case of a downpour, anything stuck inside the gutters can cause a problem.
• Close all windows and doors, and lock the doors if necessary. If you know that some of the doors inside are not latching properly, make sure they don't open due to wind in case a window breaks.
• Place any valuable items in a box and move them to the most secure place inside the house. Whether the basement or a closet, it is best to keep the valuables there until the storm passes.

Inspect your home after a storm and solve the problems as soon as possible

Hopefully, this guide will help you create a checklist necessary to inspect your home after a storm. Take the entire procedure seriously, and take your time. Check all the corners of your home to make sure there is no damage you didn't notice. Finally, the best piece of advice is to immediately call experts to deal with storm damage.

Meta description: Here is how to inspect your home after a storm. Follow the procedure and don't skip any of the steps. If you do, it can quickly backfire!