Our previous blog enumerated some helpful and actionable tips on safeguarding your home before a natural disaster. But once you’ve made all the necessary preparations and the storm has passed, it also helps to look at what you can do next to get your property back in order.
The damage from severe storms can leave anyone feeling overwhelmed, as if their lives have been turned upside down. And it’s natural to feel this way — after all, you have to work on jumpstarting your property restoration and getting your life back to normal.
It’s beneficial to know what to do after a storm has hit your home, it can help you plan your storm cleanup. This knowledge and having a plan in place helps you protect your family, belongings, and hard-earned money from further damage. Ultimately, it can help you get your life and property restored as soon as possible.
On that note, we’ve got five tips to share that should help you manage storm cleanup and restoration, even at least a bit easier:
Always Put Your Safety First
Whether you’ve survived a hurricane, flooding, or thunderstorm, it’s always best to act with safety as your priority.
For example, it may be wiser to stay at an emergency shelter, a hotel, or with a friend or family if you had to evacuate before the storm. Having your home checked for hazards first before you return is a straightforward way to keep yourself and your loved ones out of harm’s way.
If you did not have to leave your home, it’s still a good idea to ensure it’s safe to go out again before you start inspecting your property for damages. Hazards such as slippery areas, broken glass, exposed electrical lines, and damaged gas lines may also be present nearby, so practice caution as you start assessing your home’s situation.
Learn and Document the Storm Damage
Next on our list of practical storm cleanup tips is the crucial task of understanding and documenting the damage your home received.
Here are some common interior and exterior storm damages to look out for:
- Roof leaks, broken or missing shingles, split seams, and dents on gutters
- Damaged or missing exterior siding
- Cracks in windows, broken panes and frames, and damaged doors
- Damaged or broken outdoor appliances, like air conditioning units
- Basement flooding
- Fire damage from electrical shorts or water entering outlets
If you have any of these (or more) on your property, document everything by taking pictures before moving or removing anything. All the damages to your home must be adequately documented to help your insurance company assess the damage. Taking photos from different angles and adding pictures of your house in its pre-damaged state can also help expedite the process, leading us to the next item.
Call Your Insurance Company
Now that you have your pictures ready, you can officially jumpstart your storm cleanup and restoration journey by contacting your insurance provider. They will provide you with a representative who will answer your inquiries, explain your policy’s coverage, and send a claims adjuster to inspect your property damage.
Once you’ve contacted your provider, staying in touch with them until your claim is resolved can provide you with one less thing to worry about during your home restoration project.
Take Care of the Minor Repairs Immediately
While you work with a representative in inspecting and assessing storm damage on your property, there are things you can do to jumpstart the actual home renovation process yourself.
You may look for things you can fix and get to it right away while waiting for professional services for more serious issues. For example, if a broken window allows wind and water to enter your home continuously, you can board it up to prevent further damage to your property.
It’s a lot like applying first aid before experts arrive.
Work With Expert Storm Cleanup and Restoration Teams
You can handle the minor repairs to keep more problems from arising, but it pays to remember that storm cleanup and restoration are still best handled by professionals.
Skimping on the services you enlist to repair and rebuild your property may initially seem economical. However, poor or incomplete restoration services will only expose you to unaddressed issues like water damage, ultimately turning your home into an unhealthy environment for yourself and your family. These risks are not worth attempting to take on yourself.
On the other hand, a professional and reliable restoration company can help you put your property back in order through safe and effective methods. Moreover, they can also help you file a claim correctly, making the whole restoration process as smooth as possible.
The aftermath of severe storms can be devastating for you, your family, and even your business. Still, we hope these storm cleanup tips helped you regain a sense of control as you enter such an overwhelming period in your life. And whatever your situation is, remember that you can focus on getting back up on your feet with a reliable property restoration company by your side.
If you’re searching for a local contractor offering storm cleanup and restoration 24/7, Restoration 1 is here for you. With our commitment to expert restoration solutions and customer satisfaction, you can trust us to take care of everything while you concentrate on what matters most during this trying time. Call us to get help now.
