When a severe storm hits your city, it can cause a lot of fear, worry, and stress before, during, and after the storm. If you are lucky, your house could survive the storm unscathed. At other times, however, damage can occur that can cause even more stress and unexpected obstacles in your life.
If your home gets damaged in a storm, you may feel overwhelmed and don't even know where to start. A storm can do so much damage, e.g. For example, overturning water pipes or fallen trees that land on your fence, roof, or car. After the wind disappears, you need to enter the outside of your home to get an idea of the damage and to make sure your home is still safe.
Here are some tips to help you after a storm damages your home:
- Listen to advice and other instructions
- Do not go outside until it has been declared safe
- Do not walk near run-down power lines and avoid standing water or metal objects that are near failed wires
- Do not leave or enter buildings with structural damage
- Do not go near damaged trees or dangling or broken limbs
- If you smell gas, turn off the gas on the meter
- If you have to drive, pay attention to undermined roads and avoid driving through flooded roads or bridges
- Make sure your sewage system is working
- Keep your pets indoors and keep them on a leash when they need to go outside
Follow these steps after your home has been damaged by a storm:
safety first
Storms can cause a variety of problems, some of which can be dangerous. It is therefore important to be aware of possible harmful situations, including failed power lines, serrated windows, floods, or broken gas lines. These situations are dangerous and need to be addressed carefully. If you smell gas, do not re-enter your house.
Examine the damage you're dealing with
If you are sure that there is no danger in the house, check the outside of your house thoroughly. During your inspection, check every room in your house and garden. When examining the damage, write down major and minor problems.
Document damage
You need to document all indoor and outdoor damage by writing things down and taking photos to provide evidence of when it's time to make an insurance claim. The photos help show the before and after, so insurance companies can't deny that the storm is causing the damage.
Contact the insurance company
After documenting your damage, you must contact your insurance company, who will send an expert to assess damage to your property. The adjuster will then tell you how much it covers as soon as you have paid the deductible.
Choose a reliable contractor for repairs
If you know the amount the insurance company is paying, you can look for a reliable contractor to carry out the necessary repairs. If you are looking for someone to complete the repair or restoration work, don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions. You've already had a lot of stress going through the storm and seeing your house damaged, and you want to make sure you choose a contractor who will do the job correctly.
Take that away
When a storm hits your home, you need to remember safety first. If it is classified as safe, it is time to assess the damage inside and outside your home, e.g. B. knots that cause holes in the roof or blown shingles. Windows and doors can be at risk from wind damage. Check the glass for cracks or holes. Do a detailed inspection of your home and document the damage as you proceed. Once you have documented the damage, it is time to report the damage to your insurance company and to the emergency management agencies in your area. Once your claim has been approved, look for a reliable contractor to hire. Since the insurance company pays the costs of hiring a contractor, skip doing it yourself.
