Different Types Of Storm Damage And their Practical Remedies

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

Violent winds and wind-related catastrophes – all pose a significant damage risk to your property’s roof and structure.

Characterized by severe atmospheric disturbances, storm season is every homeowner’s worst nightmare. While your house is probably designed to withstand the effects of a bad storm, it almost always takes damaging structural hits whenever wild storms sweep through.

Violent winds and wind-related catastrophes blowing debris all over, freezing rains, snowstorms, lightning, and thunderstorm –all pose a significant damage risk to your property’s roof and structure.

Your house is exposed to varying degrees of damage depending on the type of storm damage and the severity of the exposure, among other factors. The common types of storm damage you should look out for include hail damage, wind damage, impact damage, and water damage, among others.

It is not safe to inhabit a house that has been potentially damaged during a storm until a safety expert clears you after thoroughly accessing the damage. While the effects of wind damage are visible immediately after the storm passes, it is always the thick layer of snow on your damaged tiles and shingles that shocks you with major leaks later.

Let’s examine the different types of storm damage and their remedies:

Wind Damage

Wind damage is the damage to buildings caused by strong gusts of wind blowing at scary high velocity. Tornadoes and hurricanes are the common types of strong winds witnessed. Violent winds often cause roof damage to homes and commercial buildings. Strong winds could rip your roof shingles apart, leaving it exposed and at the risk of taking in water and other dangerous objects being blown by the wind.

Strong winds carrying debris may also damage your vehicles and furniture. In a wind storm, several steps could be taken to minimize the impact or avert any further loss. Make sure to stay indoors during the storm. Stay away from windows and walls in case of glasses break or the walls collapse when things get more intense.

You can never be too prepared for wind damage during a storm. Fortunately, in most instances, residents get windstorm alerts as early as possible so that they can evacuate hot zones or brace up for whatever the storm brings.

When you get notified beforehand, ensure to fix any broken things susceptible to wind damage.

• Repair peeling shingles and reinforce your fence so that it is not blown away.
• Secure outdoor equipment and items that can get blown in a wind gust.
• Bring your outdoor furniture in the house; BBQ equipment, garbage can, and sports equipment too.
• If you can’t park your car in a secure garage, at least keep it away from trees.
• You can also minimize the damage by using robust and reliable material during the construction of the house.
• Hire professional contractors to handle cleanup and restoration after a storm.

Hail damage 

Unlike wind damage, hail damage is not exactly visible after a storm. However, to detect the extent of the damage, you could check cracked shingles, dented shingles from forceful impact, and damaged roof vents and exterior pipes.

Hail’s impact on a roof varies from one roof to another depending on the materials and technique used to build the roof. For example, rubber roofs have exceptional impact resistance levels that can withstand hail damage.

Hail impact on asphalt roofs is different than on wooden or thatched roofs. For asphalt roofs, hails cause the granules to fade, thus exposing the roof felt. As a result, the asphalt begins to look shiny and loses its aesthetics. Unlike

Hail damage can be remedied using high-quality roofing materials that can withstand impact from giant hail pellets 0.2 and 1.75 inches or larger.

Insurance covers come in handy after hail damage. If you have insurance protection, make sure you file a claim after every hail storm –do not take liability for an insured risk.

Water damage

Water damage is a common occurrence during or after a storm. Not all water damages result from leaks that destroy the interior of your house. Sometimes heavy downpours during a storm can have water accumulating outside your house that ends literally making its way into the house through the front door.

Water damage often has adverse effects on roofs, ceilings, walls, and floors. Again, the damage on roofs is varies depending on the material used to construct it and how the roof was made.

Clogged gutters may lead to retention of water in the gutters. The retained water sips through cracks on the roof, and the shingles start developing mold, which nourishes in moist surfaces. Paint on the wall may also peel off because of stormwater washing them away.

Damaged wall painting could be repaired by repainting the wall. However, a paint of stronger water resistance could save your wall from imminent water damage during storms.

Impact Damage

Impact damage is another type of storm damage that results in a catastrophic outcome. The damage is seen in the form of fallen trees and debris getting blown by strong winds against structures and other properties. The objects fall on houses, vehicles, and equipment, resulting in colossal losses.

An excellent way to avoid impact damage in the future is by building away from tall trees or trimming trees around the house.

Making use of the latest architectural technology in roofing can reduce the impact by a considerable magnitude. Take good care of trees around the house to make sure that they are strong and unlikely to fall in the event of violent winds. Get rid of weak trees that can’t withstand strong winds and other implications of a storm.

This could save you time and money if a storm is to occur at any time. In the event of a tree falling on your house, there are remedies and first actions that can be taken to save life and property. First, call for an emergency help –the police, emergency shelters, etc.

Notify your insurance providers of the damage as soon as the storm subsides. File for a claim to get compensated for the damage sustained. Vacate the building and call your contractor to come and evaluate the damage.

Depending on the extent of the damage, you may be forced to leave your home for an alternative shelter until repairs are done.