Recovering from storm damage is an ordeal. Everything about the process, from recovering from the shock of the event to coming to terms with the things you will need to throw away.
Rebuilding after a storm can be potentially tricky. Here are the most important things you should know about storm damage restoration.
Storm Damage Is Often More Than Wind Damage
Storm damage doesn’t always just mean recovering from wind damage. Of all the damage to your home and property, the damage caused by wind is likely the most prevalent.
Strong winds have a nasty tendency to prune weak branches from trees, selectively ripping off old shingles, and breaching windows with flying debris. Yes, the mess in your yard is likely overwhelming you, but don’t let that distract you from the other damage your home may sustain.
Each storm is different, and each house has hazards unique to it based on its location, design, and surroundings. Additional damage can be sustained by something as subtle as a small bit of flooding or as brazen as an electrical fire.
Be sure to check other places in your home for storm damage over the next few days. Untreated smoke, mold, flooding, or structural damage can have severe consequences in terms of the health and safety of your family.
Start Storm Damage Repairs ASAP
Timing is critical when it comes to storm damage repair. The elements can be merciless with your home, attacking it relentlessly with rain and wind.
The more the interior of your home is exposed to the elements, the worse your damage is likely to become. You can’t control the weather, so it is best to act fast to cover any breaches that expose your home to the weather.
If your home has sustained flooding or structural damage, it remains vulnerable to additional hazards. Not only is your home at the mercy of the weather, but your home’s interior is also prone to mold and water damage.
Mold can begin growing in as little as 24-48 hours after water damage has occurred. There are many adverse health effects of mold exposure, so keeping your home dry and clean of mold is important for you and your family.
It will generally be better for you financially to act on recovering from storm damage quickly. The longer you wait to begin cleaning up from your disaster, your problems will probably get worse. Mold can grow deep roots and colonies, which are hard to get rid of. Acting quickly to limit the amount of damage to your home is essential in preventing more expensive repair costs.
Where Do You Get The Money For Repairs?
One of the things you may be most worried about in recovering from a disaster is the financial cost of recovery. Your home needs to be repaired, there’s no doubt about that, but where will you get the money?
Often, the best source to go to is your home insurance company. You pay your insurance against the possibility of damage to your home; they should be able to help you with many of the problems you face. Be sure to check with your insurance policy for items covered in your plan.
Timing is the most critical element in the cleanup. Generally, the longer you wait to repair your home, the more expensive those repairs will be. Whether you are calling in the professionals to help you clean and recover from a storm or are doing it yourself, act fast to ensure your problems don’t get worse, necessitating more repairs.
How Long Does It Take To Recover?
The timeframe for recovery differs for each circumstance.
If your home suffered minimal damage, the repairs could be completed in a few days. In more extreme situations, it can take weeks or even months to recover from a disaster.
When disaster strikes, try your best to be on top of scheduling supplies and repairs. Wide-scale disasters that affect hundreds of homes can really negatively impact local supply lines, leading to drawn-out repair schedules.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From a Storm?
Repairing from a disaster, especially a flood, can be a long and complex process. To be fair, much of what professionals do can also be done by yourself at home. There are limits, however. If a devices installation requires a certified individual to make the repairs, you will need to find someone certified to help.
Professionals use specialized equipment that allows them to tackle a job quickly, finding all the damaged areas and ensuring they are properly dealt with. These tools are also generally available to the general public. However, the cost of purchasing them may be equal to or more expensive than hiring a professional to come out and use their own tools.
While it is certainly possible to do repairs on your own, we’d advise you to call in a professional to help your address and repair your storm damage.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From a Storm?
The answer to if a storm-damaged house is safe to live in depends on the condition of your home.
If minor damage is sustained, say, a broken window and some missing shingles, staying in your home while it is being repaired will likely not be a problem. More extensive damage, especially damage that threatens the structural integrity of your home, can pose a risk to your safety.
You can consult with an expert to see if your home is safe to live in while you are undergoing repairs.
It Can Be a Good Time To Consider Remodeling
Dealing with storm damage is certainly a hard time. What better time is there to do something that lifts your spirits?
Since some of your home is being repaired, necessitating the removal of damaged furniture and features, you may as well take the time and energy into giving your home a new look.
Not every bad thing needs to stay a bad thing. Use this as an opportunity to make some long-desired changes to your home.
Western Disasters Cleanup — A Local Storm Damage Restoration Professional
If your home is in need of storm damage restoration, we are ready to help you.
We are skilled professionals who have seen and handled a lot of projects. From fires and floods to mold and storms, we have the experience and skills to help get your home safe and repaired again.
Contact us today to take care of your disaster recovery needs.
