Storms and bad weather can do a lot of damage to your home, such as falling trees causing problems, roof tiles being blown off, or heavy rain causing flooding. If your home has been damaged in a storm, it can be overwhelming to know where to start to get things safe and repaired.
How To Deal With Storm Damage At Your Home
Identify What You Can Do Yourself
Some damage can be repaired yourself, especially if you’re handy at DIY. You can probably at least start clearing some debris so you can just how much damage has actually been done. If any damage has been done to your electrics, do not try to do anything until an electrician has said it is safe to do so.
For more major repairs, don’t try to tackle them yourself, as you could put yourself at risk, or cause more damage. Hire a restoration company to help with the bigger tasks.
For more major repairs, don’t try to tackle them yourself, as you could put yourself at risk, or cause more damage. Hire a restoration company to help with the bigger tasks.
Prevent Further Damage
When you’ve assessed the damage, see what you can do in the short-term to stop further damage from happening while you wait for repairs to be made.
If there’s any damage to the roof, cover the area with a tarpaulin, so more water can’t get in. Remove rugs and carpeting so they don’t stay wet, and making the floor damp. If there’s already water damage in your home, get all the windows open and run some fans to stay drying it out. Be careful plugging anything again if there’s still water around, and wait to be told it is safe to do this.
If there’s any damage to the roof, cover the area with a tarpaulin, so more water can’t get in. Remove rugs and carpeting so they don’t stay wet, and making the floor damp. If there’s already water damage in your home, get all the windows open and run some fans to stay drying it out. Be careful plugging anything again if there’s still water around, and wait to be told it is safe to do this.
Call Your Insurance Company
Any damage must be documented by your insurance company if you plan to make any claims. They should be one of your first calls. Take photos of everything, and expect to be sent an assessor from the company, who will look at the damage themselves.
Write a list of damaged items, and if you can, find the receipts for any major purchases that have been ruined. Double-check your policy to see what’s covered.
Ask your insurance provider if they have any recommended contractors who can get started promptly on any emergency repairs. If they can’t do this, get several quotes from a few companies and be sure you are hiring someone trustworthy, skilled, and with a good reputation.
Write a list of damaged items, and if you can, find the receipts for any major purchases that have been ruined. Double-check your policy to see what’s covered.
Ask your insurance provider if they have any recommended contractors who can get started promptly on any emergency repairs. If they can’t do this, get several quotes from a few companies and be sure you are hiring someone trustworthy, skilled, and with a good reputation.
Stay Safe
Make sure you’re staying safe while you’re working on repairs. Stay well away from any downed power lines, standing water, or metal objects that are near water, just in case.
If your home has suffered structural damage, leave, and don’t go back inside until you have been told it is definitely safe to do so. Check on your neighbors if they have suffered storm damage too, and see what help and support you can offer each other.
Never wade or swim in floodwaters, as you never know what might be in there. Take other precautions like turning off the electric and the gas at the mains, if you have safe access to do so. Be very careful while making any repairs too. It’s not worth you getting injured!
If your home has suffered structural damage, leave, and don’t go back inside until you have been told it is definitely safe to do so. Check on your neighbors if they have suffered storm damage too, and see what help and support you can offer each other.
Never wade or swim in floodwaters, as you never know what might be in there. Take other precautions like turning off the electric and the gas at the mains, if you have safe access to do so. Be very careful while making any repairs too. It’s not worth you getting injured!
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