No
matter where you live, storms that pass through the area can cause a
lot of damage to your home. The damage might not be visible at first
glance, but a thorough inspection of the home is the best way to
determine if you have damage that will require the services of a
contractor or restoration service.
Roof
Damage
A
good place to start your inspection is on the roof. If you are not
sure of the condition of the roof, you may want to look at the roof
from the ground or from a ladder without getting on the roof. Some of
the things you will look for are missing roofing shingles, flashing
missing along the roof’s edge or around chimneys and pipes that
pass through the roof, and obvious dips in the roof structure.
Missing
shingles are an obvious sign of damage, but look for areas where the
shingles stick up or where the wind has gotten under the shingle and
broken the bond between the shingles. If you can see the damage to
the roof from the ground, have a contractor do a full inspection of
the roof and the structure under it to ensure that everything is
safe.
Hail
Damage
Winter
storms, summer thunderstorms, and tropical storms can all produce
hail if the conditions are right. Falling hail can damage things
around your home, such as the edges of your roof shingles, causing
them to leak over time. If you have had a significant hailstorm pass
through the area, include hail damage in your assessment of the
property.
Water
Damage
Storms
that produce a lot of rainfall can create water damage in several
parts of the home. Runoff and erosion can be a problem with
significant rainfall, and the foundation and soil around the
foundation may take the brunt of the damage from water.
Check
the foundation inside your home for cracks or areas where water has
infiltrated the blocks or walls. Check the foundation in the same
area on the outside of the home as well. If damage exists to the soil
there, soil excavation and a further foundation check by a qualified
contractor is the next step.
If
left without repair, the foundation can leak heavily during rain, and
permanent damage to the foundation and basement of your home is the
result.
If
the basement flooded during the storm, all the electrical items that
were under the flood line needs checking, and any outlets or bulbs
that were underwater may need replacing. At the very least, the
boxes, outlets, and fixtures need disassembly and inspection before
using them.
Glass
Damage
Damage
to the glass in your home may seem like it would stand out after a
storm, but small cracks in the window panes or a broken pane of glass
in a multi-pane window might not be the first thing you see.
Walk
around the house, and look at each window and any doors that have
glass in them. Check for cracks in the glass that are small and hard
to see at first glance. While the cracks may be small, they can
become a stress point, and the glass can break when you least expect
it.
The
window frames should also get a thorough check for damage. If the
frame has damage to it, the structural integrity of the window and
frame may be a problem.
C
& Z Construction can
help if your home has been through a major storm and you need some
help to inspect or repair the damage. Give us a call, and we will
help you determine what needs addressing and what the best approach
for your situation is.
