4 Steps to Take After Storm Damage: A Guide for Homeowners

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: If your home experiences storm damage, you might not know how to bring your property back to its pre-storm condition. SERVPRO of Lake Travis/NW Austin provides a helpful guide for homeowners dealing with storm damage. 

4 Steps to Take After Storm Damage: A Guide for Homeowners

After a storm, you might be shocked to see how much damage is left in its wake. Water and wind can affect everything from your roof to the trees in your yard—sometimes even flooding your house. 

Dealing with the aftermath of a severe storm can be distressing, but the professionals at SERVPRO of Lake Travis/NW Austin, one of the area’s leading storm damage and emergency water restoration companies, are here to help. Below, they offer a simple guide to help you manage your property after inclement weather strikes. 

Assess the Damage

Once the storm leaves the area and it's safe to go outside, it's time to evaluate the extent of the storm damage. You won’t notice everything right away, but you will need to take as many pictures of the damage as possible so that your insurance adjuster can make an accurate assessment. 

The roof is one of the most vulnerable features of your home during a storm. Signs of roof damage include:

• Holes
• Dented gutters, flashing, and vents
• Missing or broken shingles

Interior leaks are another sign of roof damage, and can cause a new set of problems. If your roof is leaking, brown water stains on your ceiling or walls may be visible. 

A leaky roof is a prime environment for mold growth, which can happen as soon as 24 hours after water damage occurs. If the mold is left unaddressed, you could experience additional structural problems. Hiring a mold remediation company for mold removal will be necessary.

Other signs of storm damage to watch for during your assessment include:

• Flooding
• Broken windows
• Downed trees
• Cracked siding

Contact Your Insurance Company

After you evaluate the damage to your home, call your insurance company to file a claim. If the adjuster approves the claim, the company can compensate you for making necessary repairs and replacements. Provide the insurance agent with your pictures, receipts for temporary living expenses, and other essential documentation to ensure that they approve your claim quickly.

Hire the Appropriate Restoration Companies

For severe storm damage, turn to contractors who have the tools and experience to restore your home safely. For instance, a professional tree service can remove a downed tree from your yard, and a water restoration company can provide water cleanup if your home floods. 

Storm damage restoration companies will make the recovery process less stressful and can help get your home back to its original condition in no time.

Why SERVPRO?

The professionals at SERVPRO of Lake Travis/NW Austin understand the damage a storm can cause. Serving residents throughout Austin, Texas, and the surrounding area, these experts will respond quickly to storm damage and other residential or commercial water damage. No job is too big for their highly trained team. 

For more details about SERVPRO of Lake Travis/NW Austin and their services, follow them on Facebook or call (512) 318-2202 today.

Contact information:

SERVPRO of Lake Travis / NW Austin

P: (512) 318-2202

6500 River Place Boulevard

Building 7 – Suite 250

Austin, TX 78730