Storms can cause all kinds of havoc to your home. You need to check where the breakages are and how severe the damage is as soon as it’s safe to do so, so you can schedule essential repairs and file an insurance claim. Here are three of the areas most at risk of storm damage.
Roof
Loose or missing shingles are the most common casualties of a storm. You can usually spot these immediately, and you must have them replaced as soon as possible. Shingles prevent water from getting into your roof, causing long-term water damage and mold. Chimneys can crack in unusually high winds. Hairline fractures are rarely visible but cause significant problems if untreated. Document any damages from the ground or a ladder, but don’t go on the roof itself. You don’t know the extent of the roof degradation, and you could tread on a weak spot and fall through. It’s best to leave closer inspections and repairs to professionals trained in roof repair Lake County IL.
Gutters
During heavy winds, drainpipes and gutters can pull away from their fixings, especially if they were already loose. If you don’t re-affix them, they could come down altogether during the next bout of bad weather. Gutters have an essential job — they divert water away from the foundations of your home and prevent water from running back into the roof, both of which compromise your home’s structural integrity. During a storm, however, gutters quickly fill with debris and excess rainwater, which stops them from performing. Make sure you clear them after every storm.
Siding
During fierce winds, siding takes severe knocks and bumps both from the wind buffeting against it and garden furniture and debris being blown into it. Any weak areas before a storm are most vulnerable during and afterward. Check every exterior wall thoroughly at different times of the day and from different angles as fine cracks may be hard to see in certain lights. Fix holes, cracks, and dents as soon as you can to prevent water from getting into your home’s interior walls.
Always document storm damage. Cracks and holes can worsen and compromise the integrity of your home. Not only that, but many insurance companies also need a fully documented inventory of repairs to file your claim. Check your property and arrange repair as soon as it’s safe to do so — it could save you a fortune in the long run.