How to Prepare Your Home for Storm Season: Essential Tips for Homeowners

Storms have a tendency to catch a homeowner off guard. Despite weather warnings, Mother Nature is unpredictable, and destruction to a home can be a hit or miss.

Nowadays, homeowners in the Twin Cities area have to learn to dodge potential tornadoes, hail, heavy rains, windstorms, and snowstorms. It seems never-ending at times, that’s for sure. With so many potential storms looming year-round, why leave your home vulnerable?

Virtually any type of weather storm can blow shingles off your roof, create devastating roof leaks, damage gutters and siding, or worse, even knock down trees, pinning them against your home and shattering the windows. Sounds like something from a movie that nobody wants to see!

At Expert Level Remodeling, we completely understand what it’s like to be a Minnesota homeowner and can relate to your pleas for help in rebuilding and repairing your home after a storm’s impact. We are here to guide you every step of the way!

Prepare your home for storm season with this guide, and be sure and contact us to discuss your related storm damage concerns.

Understanding the Impact of Storm Damage On Your Home

Many weather patterns throughout the year can involve flooding. As BeReadymn.gov explains, floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States. And let’s face it: Water damage created by storms can virtually happen any time of the year.

Here are just some of the potentially damaging effects on your home and your safety:

• Excess stormwater can wreak havoc on the framework of your home and the materials that hold it together. It can even move or shift a house from its foundation.

• Floods create mold. Water and moisture can lead to mold growing on porous items like carpet, wallpaper, drywall, insulation, upholstery, wood, and more. It’s also harmful to your health.

• Flooding can cause damage to gas lines both inside and outside the house, creating an extremely dangerous situation. If floodwater causes a gas-powered appliance like an oven or water heater to move, those gas lines could also be compromised.

• Storms with accompanying winds in excess of 35-40 mph can cause significant roof damage. What’s more, the force of the wind blowing over your roof won’t be uniform.

• Certain areas of your roof will be more susceptible than others. For example: corners and edges, with less stress felt by the center. If you notice one small corner sticking up, this is just the beginning of a bigger problem.

• Even nicely constructed homes can sustain severe roof damage during wind or hail storms, which could lead to roof leaks. Large tree limbs and dangerous debris could be flying through the air at speeds that can break or tear roofs.

• Hail damage causes cracks and chips in your windows. It can also tear your screens, crack the glazing, and cause dents or cracks in your roofing. Larger-sized pieces can break tile or tear asphalt. You might also notice missing or fractured shingles and torn storm gutters.

Common Areas of a House Susceptible to Storm Damage

Upon seeing storm clouds, we all cringe at what’s to come. Exterior damage can be minor or substantial.

Here are just some of the exterior materials that are prone to storm damage: roofing, siding, windows, gutters, and foundation.

Roofing

The covering over your head is probably one of the most vulnerable because all types of storms – wind, rain, snow, and more – can cause roof leaks caused by damage to the shingles or removing them and other roofing material.

Siding

High winds and hail can loosen siding or cause dents and poke holes in aluminum and vinyl siding–leading to leaking vulnerabilities.

Windows

Large-size hail and high winds can break a window and shutters. What’s more, even winter temperatures can cause caulking to dry up and pull away, leading to cold air coming in, decreasing energy efficiency.

Gutters

High winds, heavy snowfall, and hail can all clog the gutters or cause separation from the roof. Gutters clogged with leaves and other debris allow snow and water to accumulate, which can cause ice dams.

Foundation

Water from snow or flooding rain can collect near the foundation of your home and burst pipes and can cause the saturated soil to expand, putting additional pressure on the foundation walls that can cause cracks and leaks.

Water penetrating the foundation can cause mold growth, electrical issues, and compromise structural integrity.

Immediate Steps to Take for Storm Damage

Here’s a step-by-step guide to what homeowners should do immediately after a storm to mitigate further damage.

1. Inspect the exterior and interior of the home. Look for any loose power lines, gas leaks, foundation cracks, or other damage, especially if flooding occurs.

2. If you suspect a gas leak, smell gas, or hear any kind of hissing sound, leave your home immediately and call the gas company from a cellular phone.

3. You may need to turn off the electricity. Even if the power company has turned off the electricity to the area, make certain your home’s main power supply is disconnected.

4. Take plenty of pictures of any visible damage in your home’s interior and exterior areas.

5. Check your roof and siding if you’re able. Do not climb up on your roof to take pictures; Do so only from the ground. Allow a professional roofing contractor to inspect the roof.

6. Contact your insurance provider. You should have your insurance company's contact information stored on your phone.

7. Do not attempt to clean up storm damage until you get directives from your insurance company.

8. Contact a reputable and honest contractor after speaking to an insurance claim representative. A roofing professional can help assess and repair your roof, siding, and windows in a timely manner.

Long-Term Effects of Storms & Hidden Damage

Beware of the potential long-term effects of untreated storm damage, including harmful mold growth, deteriorating materials, and decreased property value.

What’s out of sight should not be out of mind. There’s possible damage that you may not see immediately, but you should take a closer look at things such as insulation, which may have been compromised, or structural issues with the foundation.

To have peace of mind before damage gets out of control, schedule a professional inspection of your roof and attic in order to identify and address any hidden damage.

Working With Storm Damage Restoration Professionals

Your home is one of your most prized possessions – you need a contractor you can rely on.

Here are some pointers for selecting a professional contractor:

• Be sure the contractor is licensed and insured.

• Does the contractor offer free estimates?

• Have they been in business for a long time?

• Check out the company’s reviews.

• Does the contractor offer insurance claim assistance?

• Are they knowledgeable about building codes?

You need to be able to trust your contractor and expect honest communication. Most importantly, you want the job done right the first time.

Look no further than Expert Level Remodeling! Storm damage-related restoration is our expertise.

Expert Level Remodeling: MN Storm Damage Repair

If you need roof repair or replacement services, you can place your trust in us because we know homeowners expect nothing less than the best craftsmanship. We have over 20 years of experience and work alongside insurance companies to provide fast storm damage repair.

We can even offer you insurance claim assistance! Please call us at your convenience: 763-205-0400.