Hidden damage that can cost up to thousands of dollars may be hiding unchecked in your home. This type of damage is not only costly, it can also put you and your loved ones at risk. Here are some places where storm damage may not be apparent:
Check the Roof
A common source of storm damage is the objects that fall on your roof. Tree branches or material from nearby buildings can create small but dangerous dents on parts of the roof. Damage from large objects is easy to identify, but smaller items may go unnoticed. Make sure that you search carefully for any dents, fissures or holes on the roof after the storm.
Hail damage is something you never expect from a storm, but it can seriously deteriorate the life of your roof. Dents and pressure from hailstorms can loosen the shingles of the roof and catalyze future leaks. If you spot something of this sort in your house, it might be time to consider a repair or a replacement.
Signs of Water Damage
Fissures and dents are easy to identify, but water damage seeps in unnoticed after a storm. To the busy eye, signs of water damage will not be clear until the area welcomes mold. Mold is a serious health hazard and also affects the structure of your house. Here are some places you must check for signs of water damage:
- The middle of each window pane. These spots are sneaky, and you tend to overlook the space between the window panes. The warning sign is foggy glass, which means there is water damage.
- Yellow, copper or black discoloration on the ceilings or walls means there is some water lurking around. In such cases, the area either needs a re-paint or re-finishing.
- Damp, musty smell in the attic, basement or garage is a clear sign of water damage. Bubbly or cracking wallpaper is also going to tell the same story. This damage becomes clear within 48 hours of a storm.
- Gaps or curls in the wooden floorboards are the signs of water seeping in between the boards. You will need a floorboard change.
Hidden Home Areas
Apart from roof and water damage, there are other areas around the house that require special attention post-storm.
Chimney
Roof penetrations like chimneys are the most commonly ignored spaces after a storm passes. Vents and exhaust fans fall in the same category. Unless these fixtures are properly sealed, water could have seeped in and gathered around the empty spaces. A good surveillance exercise will soon give you a clue about whether these areas were affected by the storm or not. Make sure you replace a damaged fixture before it affects the entire wall or roof.
Behind the Drywall
If the storm caused floodwater to rise above the floor level, it might have burst a water supply line and affected the drywall area in the lower part of the wall. Even if the water has gone away and things look seemingly dry, the drywall may get moldy in the future. In serious cases, water can affect the electrical lining and damage the circuitry.
Gutters
Heavy storms or rains can send leaves or small branches down your external water gutters. These little items can clog the house gutters, and you won’t notice the damage until something severe occurs. Look for fragments along the gutter or try to run some water to see if it is safely passing or not.
Chipped Paint
Chipped or peeled paint around the house can be a sign of damage. Try to observe each of these spots for a critical issue. Windows and door frames are prone to such risks from a raging storm.
Windows
High winds can deal a powerful blow to your property’s windows. Conduct an inspection to see if there are any cracks from flying debris and that all the screens are still in an ideal state. If any screen is missing, don’t wait to order a replacement. Being proactive not only keeps pests out of your home but also secures the glass in windows against airborne objects during storms. Cracks in your windows can affect your insulation and should be sealed immediately.
Loose Siding
While inspecting walls after a storm, make sure to look for potential damage to the trim or siding. The high intensity of wind can tear pieces of siding loose. Although this isn’t as damaging as a roof leak, it’s still a source of unwanted water intrusions. Plus, certain damage to the siding needs to be addressed immediately, or you risk losing the structural integrity of your home. Look out for cracks, holes, and missing or lifted sections.
Electrical Appliances
If lightning travels into your home through communication lines like wires or cables, it can cause serious harm to your appliances. But the damage may be hidden as indirect lightning travels underground and isn’t visible. Signs that your appliances are affected include:
- Failure to power on
- Burn marks near cords
- Breaker tripping while active
- Poor performance
- Inaccurate digital readings
- Strange odors and noises
Appliances with mechanical control may be able to withstand surges. However, if lightning strikes on a very close power pole, the hazard may still harm the appliance’s control board.
Restoring Your Home After a Storm
To prevent contamination and bodily harm, you need to restore what’s left behind as soon as you re-enter your home. Because there really aren’t any good DIY tactics for storm damage restoration, this is not the area where you want to test your ability or take short cuts. Leave the task to professional Davis County disaster clean up specialists.
The Disaster Company has the experience and resources to repair your home after a storm. By making us your first call after the event, you can have peace of mind knowing that experienced professionals will be inspecting your home. Our team’s goal is to repair everything that sustained damage, returning your property to its default state. Whether the damage is minor or major, we will fix whatever is needed so that you can move forward with life.
