The US experiences some of the most severe storms in the world, and if you live in an area frequently hit by extreme weather or storms, understanding what you need to do to protect your property is crucial. Overlooking post-storm damage can lead to structural issues and safety hazards and even affect your quality of life. This checklist can help you ensure your property is safe and protected and that nothing is overlooked post-storm.
Whether you have weathered storms before or are facing your first one as a newcomer, this comprehensive checklist is your trusted companion. It will help you assess your home for any damage and guide you to the appropriate repairs, ensuring your home is safe and secure.
Roof
Your roof, a vital shield for your home, faces increased pressure during storms. Excessive wind, rainfall, snow, and debris can compromise its integrity. It’s crucial to have professionals like Roofing The Villages assess your roof for storm damage to prevent any potential risks.
Gutters and Drains
Storms can massively impact your gutters and drains in several different ways. For instance, increased water flow can cause drains to sag or detach from the roof, debris can cause blockages, and high winds can damage their structure. As soon as it’s safe to do so, you should inspect both to check that they’re still in good condition and can direct water from your property.
Windows
Low temperatures in the winter, flying debris in high winds, hail, and more can damage windows and their frames, making them more susceptible to damage and failure. Damaged windows can lead to energy loss and water infiltration and even compromise the safety of your home. Always check your windows to see if there is any damage to the frames or the panes themselves and to check for any caulk that might need replacing.
External Paintwork and Siding
Again, like the other aspects of your property in this post, the exterior of your house can take a beating in poor weather. Take a walk around the building in its entirety to check for any damage to external walls, paintwork, or siding you might have. Suppose anything is damaged or has come loose. In that case, it can lead to further damage, i.e., moisture getting in via cracked siding or excessive drafts due to damaged walls, so you need to get it fixed sooner rather than later to prevent the issue from worsening.
Decking
If you have any decking on your property, either a porch or a deck in your yard, it pays to give it a comprehensive check to ensure it has not been damaged at all. While wood and composite decking are durable in extreme weather, they might sustain more damage than anticipated, requiring repairs or replacement parts to make it safe for use again.
Make a checklist and take a walk around your home internally and externally post-storm to help you identify any storm damage and get it fixed to make them safe and secure again and avoid any further damage.
