Storm Damage Can Happen Often in Spokane

11/23/2022 (Permalink)

Storms happen many times without much warning, causing severe destruction of buildings and personal property. As a property owner, you must deal with wind damage, flood damage, hail damage, and ice damage caused by storms. All these situations regularly result in expensive water damage cleanup and repairs.

Water damage, especially from a storm, can be destructive. It can cause street flooding, river flooding, and a rise in groundwater levels. Floodwater can cause severe property damage if it is not cleaned and remediated fast enough. Under these circumstances, you most likely will need professional restoration services for storm remediation.

Storm damage can also involve destruction from strong winds, hailstorms, or even a snowstorm. If you are looking for storm restoration services, it is crucial to look for a professional company with a reputation for providing comprehensive home restoration services, repairs, and advice on storm remediation.

How Do You Stay Safe During a Storm?

Before a storm, there are things you can do to prepare to stay safe:

• Before heading outdoors, be sure and check the weather report.
• Postpone activities outdoors if storms are approaching.
• Make sure your electronic devices such as cellphones and tablets are fully charged so that you can get weather reports if the power goes out.
• Keep an AM/FM or NOAA Weather Radio handy if you cannot use your electronic devices.
• Check on other family members and neighbors who may need special assistance during and after the storm, i.e., those with infants, the elderly, and those with disabilities.
• Stock up on non-perishable food and water. In a refrigerator without power, food will only last two days at the most and then need to be thrown away to prevent foodborne illness.
• Spare batteries and flashlights should be kept on hand and in a place that is easy to find. Depending on the season, keep extra blankets for when it's cold, and handheld fans for when it's hot.
• A generator can also be helpful during a long-term power outage offering enough electricity to power a refrigerator, cellphones, small appliances, and computers, depending on the model.
• Be sure to secure outdoor items like trash bins and patio furniture that could blow away with strong winds.
• Remove items like hanging plants that could blow into windows or sliding glass doors.
• Ensure that propane and other fuel tanks are properly secured.
• Remove any dead or rotting trees and limbs that could fall and cause damage.

What Should You Do During a Storm?

• If you hear thunder head for cover.  You are close enough to be struck by lightning. Find a safe shelter immediately.
• Move to a sturdy building or car. Do not take shelter in small sheds, under isolated trees, or in convertible automobiles.
• If lightning occurs and sturdy shelter is unavailable, get inside a hard-top automobile and keep the windows up.
• Unplug appliances that are not necessary for obtaining weather information.
• Avoid using landline telephones or electrical appliances as telephone lines and metal pipes can conduct electricity.
• Get to higher ground if flooding is possible. DO NOT attempt to drive to safety. Most flash flooding deaths occur in automobiles.

How to Check Your Home for Storm Damage

Thoroughly Assess the Damage
Roof damage is the most likely result of a storm. Evaluate your roof for damage and roof leaks. If there was flooding, assess the floodwater level in your home, water damage on your walls.  Winter storms can cause frozen pipes and ice dams to form.

Common features of roof damage to check on are:

• Broken or cracked tiles or slate
• Roof leaks
• Dents on gutters and vents
• Split seams
• Ice dams
• Penetrations due to trees and other flying debris

Doors and windows are generally susceptible to wind damage also. Inspect cracks, holes, glass shards, damaged door and window frames. A professional damage restoration service provider can help you assess and estimate the restoration costs.

The Process of Storm Damage Restoration

After an assessment of the damage, a suitable restoration plan is needed. Damage caused by a storm can run deep and may not be easy to assess right away. However, a professional company can use specialized devices to probe and find out the affected areas. The first step of storm restoration is to clear and remove all the debris brought to your home during the storm. To avoid further wind damage and ice damage, the restoration crew will reinforce the affected house's weak structural walls and roof, helping it withstand ice dams and strong winds.

After these, several processes and services are undertaken. They include:

Water damage restoration and water removal using a flood pump.
Water damage restoration is essential if flood water finds its way into your home. Flood water can result from heavy rains, river flooding, or groundwater runoff. A flood pump can remove this flooding water. Stagnating water also needs to be cleared quickly using a flood pump to avoid the growth of mold.

Hail Damage Restoration
In addition to water restoration, hail damage restoration may also involve ice damage restoration. A hail storm can result in ice damming in your home. A professional company can remove the ice dams around your home by using equipment designed for this process. They can also fix the ice damage that follows a storm.

Roof Repair
Roof repair is among the most common home restoration services needed after a storm. Roof damage can be caused by strong winds or trees falling on the structure. Without repairing the roof, water damage restoration in the house will be in vain. Hail damage and heavy rains can cause flat roofs to sink or cause seepage and a roof leak. Therefore, roof repairs entail sealing the roof and reinstalling new tiles, and reinforcing the roofing frames. Gutters and frozen pipes damaged from ice damming also need to be repaired.

Storm Damage Remediation for Your Spokane Home

Elements like rain, wind, lightning, and hail can wreak havoc on your property if you don't seek professional storm damage cleanup services. Call our team at SERVPRO of Northeast Spokane at the first signs of storm damage to help prevent things such as mold growth and structural collapse. We offer various storm damage restoration services to help you deal with a crisis twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.