What to Do When You Suspect Storm Damage
What a crazy couple of months we have had! From 10 inches of snow in a few hours, to 70-degree days to a huge hailstorm all within a few weeks. Indiana weather has never been predictable, but 2021 has been especially unreliable. With two incidents that could have created significant storm damage to your home, we thought it would be helpful to share some advice from a home improvement expert, Rob Yeary of Universal Roofing.
“You never know when A storm will be THE storm that damages your home. We recommend inspecting your house after each weather event. Walk around the outside and look for loose or torn-off shingles, hanging gutters, or siding damage. The heavy snow we had in February stayed there for a while, melted some, and then froze again. That type of weight and ice build-up can put a lot of stress on your roof and gutters. If your roof is older, the melting ice can seep into your shingles. Skylights can be damaged as well.
Our recent hailstorm only added to the roof stress. After two significant weather events, we would suggest calling your local roofing company and having them closely inspect your roof and gutters. Please do not let a ‘door knocker’ or ‘storm chaser’ handle your inspection. Use a local reputable company to ensure a proper assessment after a storm.
Leaking is also a sign of storm damage, but our intention is to catch the issue before it gets to that point. Remember, if a piece of siding has come off your house after some severe weather, you may want to have your whole exterior inspected – it takes a lot of force to pull siding off a home.
If you do have storm damage, we also suggest having your contractor meet your insurance adjuster at your home. They can serve as the expert in home repair, explaining the implications of the damage they see and what it will take to repair it.
Regularly maintaining your roof and gutters will go a long way in helping your home’s exterior stand up to our weird weather patterns. Keep a regular eye on your roof and clean out your gutters to limit blocked or standing water.
Storms can take many forms here in Indiana – hail, tornados, severe winds, large snowfalls, heavy rain – at least we do not have hurricanes. Be sure to inspect the outside of your home after every large weather event – and even check out your attic, especially if it is raining. Catching damage early can save you the cost and headache of incurring severe issues inside your home too.”
As a Wharton & Power Insurance client, our Team is here to help if you suspect your home has been damaged by a weather event. We will talk you through your deductibles, ensure a quality adjuster follows up, and if a claim is made, handle the logistics.
If Indiana’s 2021 weather has you questioning the quality of your homeowner’s policy, reach out to me for a policy review. Send me an email or give me a call at 317.663.4138.
