After you've come out the other side of a
serious storm, such as a hurricane, tornado, hail or other big event, you may
discover that your home has suffered damage. It's natural to be in a little
shock, since storm damage happens so quickly and sometimes without much notice
at all. If you've found that your home has been damaged in a storm, here are
some steps to take to get back to normal as quickly as possible:
Stay safe from wind and rain
Of course, before you do anything else, you want
to make sure that your home is secured from further problems. The safety of you
and your family means that you have to take shelter elsewhere if you believe
extreme structural damage has occurred. Be concerned with your own safety before
thinking about your home. During the storm that has caused damage, you should
only do the bare minimum to keep you and your loved ones safe inside. Think
calmly to avoid dangerous situations.
Photograph your damage
After the storm has passed, it's time to
evaluate the extent of your damage. You may have the natural desire to try to
do even what little you can to start getting things back to normal – but wait.
The very first thing you should do is photograph everything you can. This is
crucial for working with an insurance company, which, despite how many years
you've been a customer, may fight to pay you what you are owed.
Contact a storm restoration professional
Most storm-related injuries occur during the
initial phases of clean up and fixing. Even if you are young and fit, you'll
want to contact a professional right away. This way, you can avoid additional
damage to your home and get a better assessment to what the storm really did to
the structure of your home. Water damage can especially result in longer-term
problems like mold if not addressed immediately.
Call your insurance company
Once you really know the situation, it's time to
contact your insurance company and file a claim. It is extremely common that
people will go into conversations with insurance professionals without the
preparation they need to get the money they are owed for the years of insurance
payments. You can use what you've learned from a storm restoration professional
to make sure that the insurance company is doing their job covering the
expenses caused by the act of nature.
Start removing debris and fix your home
Only after you've done all these important steps
is time to roll up your sleeves. Start removing debris that is dangerous to
your home and your own personal safety, and never do anything that is beyond
your abilities. Remember, professionals can help get your home back to normal
and you safe.
Have you experienced storm damage? Contact Final
Touch Construction and Remodeling at (216) 780-9196 or log on to finaltouchcle.com to talk with a professional today.
