Carolyn J. Braden • 3 Minute Read
Post-Storm Home Checklist: What To Inspect After A Major Weather Event
There’s a lot that you can do to protect your home from harsh weather. However, as much prevention as you might put in place, when a bad storm hits, things still have a way of going wrong. These storms are much more common in the summer, so don’t let the joy of being out in the sunshine blind you to the potential danger. If you’re hit by a storm, it’s important to have a game plan so that you can assess the damage and begin to rebuild as quickly as possible.
Leaks can occur after a heavy rain
Look For Leaks And Water Damage First
The biggest risk, cost-wise, is the cost of water damage spreading throughout your home. Any water damage needs to be tackled immediately, so you should start by inspecting your ceilings, especially near exterior walls or under attic spaces. Keep an eye out for signs like yellow stains, bubbling paint, damp drywall, or musty smells.
Don’t forget to check in closets and corners of rooms you might not frequent. If you have an attic, go up with a flashlight and look for wet insulation, dark spots on the wood framing, or active drips. Spotting and fixing the issue can prevent the growth of mold and mildew, and reduce how much you might have to replace if the materials are water-damaged.
Check your roof, especially after a heavy ice or snow storm
Don’t Neglect Your Roof
Your roof is going to be the part of the home that takes the brunt of any storm, including wind, hail, and heavy rain, and as such, a health check is vital. Look for missing or lifted shingles, sagging sections, cracked flashing, or debris buildup. Even if your roof appears intact from the ground, hidden damage can worsen over time, leading to leaks and interior damage.
An immediate visual inspection can help you spot any obvious damage, but be sure ot hire a professional like your local leading roof repair experts to take care of the repairs. There may be more extensive damage beneath the immediately visible, which professionals are equipped to expect and handle safely.
Clean gutters after a storm
Check Your Gutters And Downspouts Too
Given the role of gutters and downspouts in keeping water away from the home, it’s only natural that they can sometimes buckle under the sheer amount of water a storm produces, not to mention the added pressure of the wind. After a storm, check that they’re still securely attached and not sagging or pulling away.
Clear out any debris that may have collected during the storm, like twigs, leaves, or shingle granules. You should also check to see how water flows from the roof into the gutters after a storm, as any overflowing or standing water could be a sign of an issue that needs to be repaired. Gutter problems can eventually lead to foundation problems, so they need to be fixed promptly.
Prepare for storms, especially if you have pets that need to go outside!
Check Your Siding, Windows, And Doors
The entire exterior of the home can get battered by a storm, especially if there’s debris being picked up and thrown around during it. As such, take the time to walk around the home and look for signs of damage, like cracked siding, loose panels, and shattered glass. Take a closer look at your doors and windows to see if their seals are broken, too.
If you have weep holes in your windows, check them for clogs after a storm. Our 1-minute video below shows you how or see it via our YouTube channel @carolynjbraden:
You may be able to caulk or weatherstrip them as a fix, but extensive damage may be better handled with a replacement. Any openings in your home’s exterior can lead to issues like rot, mold, and energy loss, so the sooner you ensure your home’s security, the better.
Your outdoor spaces should be checked after a storm
Check Your Outdoor Structures, Too
Aside from your home itself, every structure on your property should be inspected for damage after a storm. After all, it can affect those, too. Examine fences for leaning posts, missing boards, or loosened fasteners. Decks and patios may have water pooling in areas they normally don’t, indicating drainage issues.
If you have a pergola, shed, or other outdoor structure, ensure they haven’t shifted or sustained damage. Although it might not seem as vital as fixing up your house, any loose boards, rusted fasteners, or warped wood can become a serious safety issue down the line. Repairing and securing what you can now will ensure that your exterior is safe and not likely to experience more structural damage down the line.
Check trees for damage as well as your home
Your Trees And Power Lines
Fallen limbs or unstable trees are one of the biggest threats during and after a storm. Look for hanging branches, leaning trunks, or exposed roots near your home. Anything that’s hanging from your tree, from broken branches to cracked trunks, can lead to a falling hazard, if not immediately, then even days after the storm has passed.
This becomes even more complex and dangerous when there are power lines involved. If they are tangled up in the branches or down near or on your property, call the utility company immediately and keep your distance. Power lines are a live and lethal risk, and you shouldn’t attempt anything to do with them yourself if you’re not trained and licensed for it.
The end of storm damage repair feels like a rainbow
Handle Your Insurance Company Right
Don’t delay for too long to tell your insurance company about storm damage to your home. If you wait longer than a day or two to make a claim, it can make it more difficult ot successfully process. You want to be comprehensive in your claim and make sure that you’re able to demonstrate the damage caused by the storm. To that end, take the time to document all of the damage, including photos and videos where possible, so that you can submit it as proof.
Capture wide shots and close-ups of affected areas: roof damage, water stains, broken windows, downed trees, and anything else storm-related. Don’t hold back on any necessary emergency repairs, but save any receipts so those costs can get covered, and photograph any fixes, even temporary ones, with a before and after so your insurance company can get the full extent of the damage.
Storm damage can be extensive, and the nature of it can make that damage get worse over time if it’s not spotted, such as with water damage. For that reason, it’s vital to be thorough in your inspection after the storm breaks.
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Carolyn J. Braden is the owner of Carolyn’s Blooming Creations is a regular contributor and editor for CBC. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Ways To Help You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links. All opinions and ideas expressed in this post, however, are based on my personal point of view.