Before & After Summer Storm: A Homeowner's Guide
If you live in Maryland, you understand just how dangerous a summer storm can be for your home.
Summer storms can cause a lot of damage. Winds can blow siding and shutters off your house. Hail can damage your roof, windows, and siding, not to mention knock down trees. Rain can flood basements and lightning can cause real damage to your electrical system. In this blog post, we will discuss steps to take before a storm to protect your home and share ten things you should check in your home after a summer storm.
Before The Storm
The good news about summer storms in Maryland is that they are predictable. Hardly a summer goes by without at least one big storm. That means, we have time to prepare for the worst.
Yearly Tree Maintenance
Tree maintenance can seem expensive. But consider the alternative. Flying limbs and falling trees cause homeowners thousands of dollars each year. Keeping your trees trimmed and healthy can prevent damage to your home, your vehicles, and your family.
Hurricane Shutters
Depending on how wooded your lot is, you may also want to invest in some hurricane shutters. These will help protect your windows from flying debris and breaking. This is an expense that most homeowners can forego but if you are on a wooded lot, it could be well worth the investment.
Generator
Generators are hard to come by after a storm. That’s why it’s a good idea to invest in one before you need it. This will help keep your home running smoothly during a storm. In the past ten years, we have had several storms that knocked out power for days. That’s no fun, no matter what time of year it happens.
Emergency Kit
Finally, you should make sure you have an emergency kit. This kit should include food, water, and first aid supplies. This will help you be prepared in the event of an emergency. As parents, we would also suggest flashlights/camping lights and board games as well.
After The Storm
Once the storm has ended, it is important to do a full inspection of your home. Catching a small problem now, may save you thousands of dollars later.
Gutters and Downspouts
One of the easiest things to check is your gutters and downspouts. You should make sure that they are clear of debris so they can properly drain water away from your home. Also, you'll want to ensure that they are still attached properly to your house. If you notice sagging gutters, you need to get help quickly because your gutters will no longer do their job.
Check for Water Damage
Checking for water damage can take some time but it’s worth the effort. Have a quick peek in the attic for signs of leaks. Also, check around all of your windows and doors and of course, check every corner of your basement. Leaks are sneaky. But catching them early can make all the difference to your wallet.
If any water has managed to get into your home, it's important to call a professional right away to get it cleaned up properly. Water damage can lead to mold and mildew, which can be a health hazard.
Fallen Trees and Shrubs
After a storm, it's not uncommon for trees to fall. Examine all of your trees and shrubs to see if they incurred any damage. Loose limbs may not be a problem now but they can be a real problem in the next storm. If you spot damage, it's important to get a professional out as soon as possible to take care of this liability.
Also check your house for signs of any damage to the siding, windows, or roof due to a flying limb. If you have damage, our team will be standing by to help.
Windows and Doors
We mentioned earlier to check your windows and door for leaks, but let’s take that a step further. It's also a good idea to check your windows and doors to make sure they are still in good condition and are intact. If you see any cracks or damage, you'll want to get them repaired. A crack or damage could lead to another potential source of water getting to your home. Even if no water came in this time, a damaged door or window can be a real problem. Cracks in your doors and windows allow cold and hot weather to creep inside your house, which can increase your electric bill.
Roof
One of the most important things to check after a storm is your roof. If there are any loose, missing, or damaged shingles, this could lead to water damage inside your home. Water could potentially leak in through the ceiling. No one wants it to be raining indoors. As we mentioned above, water is sneaky. Sometimes you don’t know you have a problem until your ceiling caves in.
Siding
Another area to check is your siding. If any of your siding is damaged, it's important to get it fixed as soon as possible. It can become another source of mold growth. If you let it go untreated, you may even start to see mold growing on the interior walls of your home.
The good news is that we are often able to replace a small area of your siding. Doing this early is a great way to avoid a costly repair later.
Electrical
After a storm, it's important to check your electrical. If any of your electrical is damaged, it could start a fire. If you believe that you've experienced electrical damage in your home, call a professional to get it looked at immediately. House fires are the leading cause of property loss and death. Make sure you are taking preventive action!
Plumbing
Most homeowners don’t consider their plumbing after a storm. But, smart homeowners know that water damage is one of the most common problems after a storm. If any of your pipes are damaged, they could start to leak. A small leak could eventually turn into a large flood.
In addition, the small drain in your basement stairwell is notorious for clogging. If water doesn’t drain there you could end up with a basement full of water. Check it before the next storm to make sure your home is protected.
HVAC
After a storm, it's important to check your HVAC. If any of your HVAC is damaged, it could cause an electrical fire. Just like electrical damage, it's important to get it fixed as soon as possible to avoid any potential problems or fire hazards.
Gas
And finally, check your gas lines. If any of your gas lines are damaged, it could cause an explosion. If you believe that the storm may have caused gas damage in your home, call a professional to get it looked at immediately. Gas is not something that you want to mess with!
Remember, you'll want to check for these types of damage to your home after the storm has passed. If you see any of the above damage, it's important to call a professional right away to get it fixed. Quality Remodeling is here to help.
By following these tips, you can help protect your home from damage during a storm, be prepared, and most importantly, stay safe! If you need help with your roof, siding windows, or doors, give us a call at (410) 360-3453