Signs of Damage
It is unsettling when a big storm moves through your area and high winds cause large amounts of debris to fall on or near your home. While you may escape the storm without damage to your home, it’s always a good idea to do a good visual inspection of your property after an event such as this.
First, clear away any branches or other debris that may be on your roof or deck. It’s important to remove the debris, to really see what damage may be left behind and properly assess what damage may have occurred. Additionally, debris left to sit collects rainwater that will further degrade your property and allow mold to grow where you don’t want it.
Once your space is clear of debris, start looking for things like splitting, warping, or cracking boards on your deck that were not there before the storm. If you find damage like this, you likely have hail damage. If you find it on your deck, it’s probably a safe bet that your roof has also been compromised.
From the ground, you should also inspect the downspouts on you home. If dents are found on down spouts and gutters, it too is an indication hail has moved through your area and your home has experienced damage.
Storms with high winds will cause damage in the form of missing deck boards, siding that has been blown off, and shingles that are missing or detached from the home.
You Have Damage, Now What?
If you find that your deck (or any other part of your home) has damage, check your homeowner’s insurance policy. Depending on what coverage you have, your insurance may cover the cost (minus your deductible) for repairs that include your deck.
Your next step is to call a trusted, local exterior restoration company. These experienced and trained professionals will be able to give you a good idea whether your damage is significant enough to open a claim with your insurance company.
If it is determined there is enough damage to start a claim, it’s time to contact the insurance company. They will assign an inspector to visit your home and assess the damage. Having your chosen restoration contractor present during this inspection is a benefit to you. It’s always better to have two sets of trained eyes looking for and assessing damage to your home. This ensures you will receive the appropriate compensation from your insurance company for your repairs.
Revive Restoration is a local and trusted contractor serving Minnesota and Wisconsin. From roofing and siding repair to decks, we have the experience to help you through the process of restoring your home. If you suspect storm damage, contact us today for a free, no obligation inspection and estimate.