How to Check your Home for Storm Damage

Summer storms in Ohio are no joke. From lightning to thunder, hail to high winds or tornadoes, the weather can wreak havoc on your home. After each round of storms, it’s important for you to thoroughly check your property for any damage that could cause safety hazards or other distressing problems and call in a wind damage repair expert if necessary.

Check on Your Trees

If the land surrounding your property include trees, it is important to do a thorough walkthrough, checking to ensure they have not fallen on the roof, into windows, on power lines, or across sidewalks, driveways or roadways. Keep in mind that most laws require you to remove a fallen tree on your property, even if it was your neighbor’s tree before it fell.

Inspect Your Roof and Gutters

The next step is to thoroughly but safely inspect your roof and gutters for damage. Because climbing on your roof can be dangerous, you may consider calling a roofer to do this part for you. Whoever inspects the top of your house should check for a range of problems, such as:

• Splits in the seams
• Holes
• Loose or missing shingles
• Loose gutters

Be sure you also check the interior of your home for any leaks or water damage that may not be evident from the outside.

Examine the Exterior

Complete the inspection by looking at the rest of your home’s exterior. Check for cracks, dents, chips or holes in your siding, stucco or bricks, making sure to do so in various lights to ensure you don’t miss anything. Even the smallest hole can cause severe water damage. Check for detached or loose pieces of siding or trim as well as small cracks in windows or broken/loose railings on porches or decks.

Don’t Forget These Areas

Many homeowners forget to check some important areas like the HVAC unit and vent caps. Don’t forget to look at your basement or crawlspace to ensure there is no water damage there.

Once you have a thorough list and pictures of any damage you find, contact your insurance agent. He or she will walk you through the steps of filing a claim and hiring someone to do storm damage restoration in Dayton, OH.