Storms are an inevitable part of life, and while some may find solace in them, it doesn’t change the fact that storms can cause massive amounts of damage to homes and property. Staying informed about the weather and knowing what to do after a storm can better prepare you to face the storm damage and minimize any repair costs you may have to face. Here at Shanco, we have repaired countless homes after a storm, and we are here to share our knowledge regarding home storm damage and what you can do about it.

Damage Caused by Storms

Severe storms of any kind tend to wreak havoc on homes, but when you know what to expect and how to prepare, you can protect your home and property and minimize any post-storm repair costs. Storms are as varied as the damage they cause, but some of the most common storms we face are as follows.

  • Hail Damage
  • Wind Damage
  • Flooding

Hail Damage

Hail storms might sound relaxing, but as many of us already know, they can cause serious damage to your home, car, and anything else left exposed in the event of a hail storm. Hail falls at a staggering 25-70 mph depending on the size, so it should come as no surprise that these little balls of ice wreak havoc on your home’s roof and anything left outside.

One of the main problems that come with a hail storm is damage to vehicles. The obvious solution to this problem is to park your car in a garage, but if you don’t have the luxury of an enclosed parking space, what then? The next best thing to do to protect your car from a hail storm is to cover it with cushioning materials such as blankets or even cardboard. Ensure to secure whatever cover you use, or the wind will likely carry it off into the sunset.

So now that your car and other outside items are protected, what about the house? In all reality, there isn’t much you can do to protect your home from hail except make sure that everything is in good working condition before the storm. The two main things you can do to prepare your home for a hail storm are to ensure all your shingles are fastened and your gutters are clear from any blockages.

Wind Damage

Most storms are accompanied by heavy winds but severe winds can cause equally severe damage to your home. Wind damage comes in two forms – direct or indirect. Direct wind damage is when the wind directly damages your home. Examples of this are shingles and gutters that are blown loose and even broken windows in some severe cases. Indirect wind damage is when the wind blows something into or onto your home, which then causes damage – this can be anything from lawn furniture and trampolines to dead branches and entire trees.

If you know there is a wind storm coming, the first thing you want to do is fasten the gutters on your home. After that, you want to make sure that you don’t have anything loose around your yard – things like patio furniture and toys need to be tied down or moved indoors, or they can cause severe damage to the exterior of your house. One of the most damaging aspects of wind damage is caused by trees and limbs. If you have any dead trees or limbs over or around your home, you should get them removed before the next big wind storm. Not only can branches damage your home but they could potentially injure the people that are inside.

Flooding

Flooding comes as a result of heavy rainstorms, and while there is nothing you can do to prevent flooding, there are some steps you can take to minimize the damage it causes to your home. The first and most important thing you can do to ensure flooding doesn’t damage your home is to clean your gutters and make sure they are fastened to your home and at the seams. Leaking or loose gutters will cause the rainfall to pool up around your home and cause severe structural damage if the floodwaters are bad enough.

Shanco Storm Damage Home Repair

Storms are unpredictable, but when we stay prepared, we can minimize the damage caused by them. Here at Shanco, we have helped thousands of people just like you bounce back after experiencing storm damage. We love helping our community and being there for them in the wake of a storm. If you or someone you know has experienced storm damage, contact us today to schedule your free inspection.