Common Damage to Your Home From Storms

9/6/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Alamo Heights if storms cause damage to your home or office

Storms can be unpredictable when they hit, and it can be hard to predict what damage will follow in their wake.

Storm damage may vary based on the type of storm (a hail storm versus a lightning storm, for example), but some damage is more common than others.

Generally, the most drastic damage is caused by flooding, high winds, or fire.

In this blog, you’ll learn about the three parts of your home most likely to be damaged in a storm and what to do about it.

####1. Damage to your roof

Whether hail, wind, or a torrential downpour, your roof is almost always the first hit by a storm. And often hit the hardest. A common type of roof damage is roof lift. Like it sounds, roof lift is when the wind is so strong in a storm that it actually moves your roof or completely lifts it away.

Steep roofs are less prone to this kind of damage than low-sloping roofs. Keep this in mind if you’re searching for a new home or building your own home.

Roofs that are not well cared for are the most likely to be damaged. Even if the roof isn’t removed by a storm, shingles and drainpipes can become dislodged.

####2. Damage to your windows

Broken windows are very common during severe storms. Large hail, heavy winds, fallen trees, and debris all have the ability to break a window. Even if the glass is not shattered, heavy storms can bend or damage window casings.

If a window is broken during a storm, your house becomes more vulnerable to damage. It’s best to take precautions long before a storm hits. You can reinforce your windows with plywood or invest in storm shutters.

####3. Damage to your landscape

Heavy winds and rains can ruin even the most carefully landscaped yard. More than that, they can turn your landscape into a danger zone. If your yard is sloped and not properly drained, it’s more likely to flood. Gravel and even small trees are easily picked up by wind, which then might mean they smash into your windows, house, or car.

When you landscape, be sure to clear your yard of fallen branches and prune dead trees. If you have yard decorations or patio furniture, always bring them inside before a storm hits.

If your home has experienced storm damage, call in an experienced professional. SERVPRO® of Alamo Heights is always ready to help with expert restoration services.