When it comes to natural disasters, there are few as dramatic as a hurricane. When these ferocious storms make landfall, they have the power to destroy everything in their path. As well as being dangerous, hurricanes can also be very disruptive. Once a hurricane has passed, the clean-up and repair process can take weeks or even months. As such, homeowners usually need to take measures to fortify their property against further damage caused by exposure to the elements. In this blog post, we’ll explore five simple steps you can take to protect your home after a hurricane. These tips will help you safeguard your house from potential future damage and reduce the cost of repairs.
Get a home inspection from a professional contractor
Home inspections are a crucial part of any hurricane clean-up plan. They will allow you to identify any damage inflicted on your property, and let you know what repairs are required. During a home inspection, a qualified contractor will examine your house and let you know if it needs repair. They’ll also be able to let you know what work needs to be done to fix it, and how much it will cost. All this information will come in handy once you start the insurance claims process. Homeowners that know the extent of the damage to their property will have an advantage when it comes to filing an insurance claim. Even if your home’s damage is not covered by your insurance policy, your home is damaged, and you will need to repair it.
Double-check your home insurance policy
Hurricanes are one of the most common natural disasters in America. Every year, thousands of homeowners file insurance claims in the aftermath of a hurricane. Unfortunately, many of these people discover that their insurance provider won’t cover the damage to their home. This is because a number of homeowners either don’t know or simply don’t fully understand what is covered by their policy. That’s why it’s a good idea to double-check your home insurance policy to see what is and isn’t covered. This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises if you need to file an insurance claim. Depending on the type of policy you have, you might be able to replace your roof, siding, windows, and doors. You might also be able to cover the cost of emergency repairs and cleanup services.
Install a tarp or perform other temporary roof repairs
If your roof has been damaged by the hurricane, you’ll want to repair leaks or exposed sections as soon as possible. If you don’t, water will seep into your house and cause extensive damage. You can fix small roof leaks by applying roofing tar or sealant to the damaged area. However, if your roof has been ripped off entirely, or a large portion of it has been destroyed, you’ll need to install a tarp. You can buy a tarp from a hardware store or online. If you’re buying a tarp, make sure to get one that is large enough to cover the damaged area(s) of the roof. You’ll also want to get tarp clips or nails so you can secure the edges of the tarp to the walls of your house. Once the tarp is in place, you’ll want to make sure it’s secure. You don’t want it flying away in the wind.
While DIY roof tarp installation may be your best option in the immediate aftermath of a storm, it is best to hire a professional roofing contractor to perform any emergency roof repairs or tarping. Roofing contractors know more about how roofing systems work, have better tools for the job, and can assess any additional structural damage while they are on the roof. If the hurricane damage repairs are covered by insurance, roof tarp installation by a professional contractor will almost always be covered and reimbursed by the insurance company.
Board up and secure any broken windows
If any of your windows have been damaged, you’ll want to board them up immediately. You can purchase inexpensive plywood from a hardware store to use as temporary window boards. Alternatively, you could use a tarp to cover the window. Boarding up your windows will keep wind and rain out of your home, which will help prevent further damage. It will also protect you from flying debris if another hurricane hits while you’re still repairing your home.
Begin the dry-out process inside your home
Once the hurricane has passed and you have secured the exterior of the building, you will need to address any water damage from leaks or flooding. If there was extensive flooding, you will need to throw away any furniture or personal items that soaked up water or were tainted with contaminated flood water. Then you will need to strip out any building material (like drywall, carpet, flooring, etc.). Failure to perform proper water mitigation soon after a hurricane can cause extensive damage, including toxic mold and mildew. This occurs when the humidity inside your home begins to condense on the walls and furniture. You should protect your home from water damage as soon as possible.
The dry-out process for hurricane water damage involves setting up industrial pumps, fans, and dehumidifiers to remove as much water and moisture from the home as quickly as possible. Hiring a professional water restoration company is your best option. Professionals have higher capacity tools and equipment that you wouldn’t typically purchase from a local hardware store or home center. Also, water mitigation equipment is often difficult to find in stock immediately following a large storm or hurricane that results in widespread flooding.
Once your home is dry, you can begin the process of repairing the damage. Getting this done quickly will help you avoid the negative health and financial consequences that come with a prolonged clean-up.
Hurricanes are some of the most destructive storms in existence. They can cause extensive damage to homes and can take weeks or even months to repair. Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to protect your home after a hurricane. These tips will help you safeguard your house from future damage and reduce the cost of repairs.