How To Inspect Your Home for Storm Damage
Your home is prone to damage from unexpected severe storms. But even in cases when there isn’t serious harm to their homes, homeowners may still need to make costly repairs. Checking for storm damage on a house before bad weather could assist in minimising unidentified issues from developing into costly repairs down the road.
Checklist to inspect your home for storm damage
Storm damage inspection is necessary. The following things are inspected before you get into trouble. Let’s have a look at them as under:
Examine the roof
One of your home’s most exposed places is the roof, which receives the weight of a storm. Examine the roof first, searching for any holes, cracks, or missing or damaged shingles. In order to avoid water buildup, make sure the gutters are free of debris and look for any signs of water leaks in the ceiling or attic. In addition, you should search for any apparent injuries or wind-related debris, uprooted trees, and other evidence of damage to the roof.
Keep an eye out for carports and awnings
Look around your home for any structures that appear like they could blow off during a storm, such as carports or awnings. If they aren’t anchored firmly to the ground, they most likely will. Make that a concrete foundation of the right size is properly attached at the point where a post supporting these constructions meets the ground. Check with your local government to find out if your footings satisfy the standard for storm safety as the depth of a footing might vary based on the construction rules in your area.
Examine Chimneys and Vents
Prior to a storm, Storm Damage Inspections examine your roof’s chimneys and vents since they are essential parts. Make sure chimney caps are securely in place to keep out water and debris. Inspect the mortar surrounding the chimney for any signs of deterioration, since weak mortar may lead to structural problems in a situation of strong winds or rain. Examine vent seals and flashings to make sure the seals are intact and sealed correctly. For the purpose to avoid water leaks into the attic or interior spaces of your home, any gaps or loose components should be fixed right away.
Examine Roof Flashing
Water must be directed away from vulnerable regions such roof edges, valleys, and the areas around vents. Ensure to pay particular consideration to the flashing materials’ condition during your inspection. Keep an eye for any damage, rust, or corrosion that might affect how effective they are. Maintaining the reliability of your roof’s waterproofing system requires either replacing or fixing flashing that looks loose or inadequately built. Installing flashing correctly helps stop water from leaking beneath roofing components.
Secure Loose Outdoor goods
During high winds associated with storms, outdoor items like furniture for the patio, tools for gardening, and décor can turn into hazardous objects. Before bad weather hits, safely secure these items or keep them inside to avoid causing damage to your roof or other components of your house. If you are hesitant to bring larger goods inside, secure them using sturdy ropes or tie-downs. Furthermore, think about moving lightweight decorations or potted plants to a more sheltered location where wind gusts are less likely to pull them up.
Verify Structural Integrity
Before storm season arrives, have all neighboring carports, awnings, and similar structures fully evaluated for structural integrity. Make sure these structures have appropriate footings or foundations that meet local building laws and storm safety standards in order to anchor them firmly to the earth. To go through severe winds and stormy weather, the connections between posts and foundation should be sturdy and maintained properly. Consider reinforcing or fixing these structures as needed if there are any signals of degeneration, instability, or wear and tear.
Examine the Trees Near Your Home
If the trees are unhealthy or have overhanging branches, they could give a serious risk during storms. Trim back any branches that might fall onto your roof or produce projectiles in strong winds before storm season. Inspect the trees for signs of decay, illness, or instability, as these conditions may make it more likely for branches to come off during a storm. If you are worried about the safety or health of your trees, think about hiring a professional expert.
REDUCING ROOF STORM DAMAGE IN THE FUTURE
Although the weather is beyond your control, there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood that a storm could damage your roof:
Regular Maintenance: Conduct routine maintenance and inspections to keep your roof in good working order.
Tree trimming: Get rid of any branches that hang that can fall during a storm and damage your roof.
Install Storm-Resistant Features: You should think about changing your shingles with impact-resistant ones as well as improving the ventilation and flashing on your roof.
Speak with a storm damage inspection company
To examine and fix any damage to your roof or to which you suspect water intrusion, get in touch with Structural Engineers, a reputable Storm Damage Inspection Service. Keep in mind that when assessing your roof before a storm, safety comes first. To assess the damage and make the necessary repairs, it is preferable to engage a professional inspector if you are not comfortable or knowledgeable about storm damage inspections. Structural Engineers are aware that storms can cause siding and roofing issues for homeowners, which require quick attention.