6 Common Causes of Storm Damage to Homes and How to Prevent Them

When you buy a home, it’s a big investment, and you want to make sure it stays in good shape. Unfortunately, if you live in an area prone to severe weather, you can find yourself having to deal with the aftermath of nature’s fury. Severe storms threaten the safety of your home and can cause extensive damage. This leads to you being displaced and paying thousands of dollars in repairs. So what are the common causes of storm damage? And how can you guard against them? Here is a list to help you be prepared.

Wind Storm Damage

Though invisible, wind can cause serious damage to your home. Hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunderstorms can all have high winds that rip off roofs, damage siding, and shatter windows. If your house is located next to trees, high winds can cause these trees to drop branches or fall down, possibly on your house. To help prevent this, make sure to maintain your trees, regularly cutting down any dead branches and trimming loose branches. You should also routinely inspect your roof, looking for loose shingles or possible areas of concern that could lead to water leaks or holes during a storm.

Hail Damage

Having balls of ice drop from the sky onto your home can never be a good thing. What can start out as a relatively mild storm can unexpectedly turn into a hail storm, causing severe damage to your property. As the hail strikes your home, it can cause serious damage to your roof, ripping off or breaking shingles, and putting holes in your roof. This can then lead to other issues, like damage due to water leaking through the compromised roof. After a hail storm, you should check your roof immediately to determine if there is any damage.

Snow damage

When picturing storm damage to your home, you probably imagine a tornado or other catastrophic event. But blizzards and snowstorms can be just as damaging to your home as a hurricane. During a blizzard, massive amounts of heavy snow are dropped onto your home. This puts a lot of pressure on your roof, which can lead to your roof leaking or, in the worst case scenario, collapsing. This is dangerous for you and your family, as the collapsing roof could hurt you. This also then leaves the interior of your home exposed to the elements, which causes further damage inside.
Having a roof with a steeper pitch can help keep snow from piling up. Keeping evergreen trees away from your home can reduce the chances of a tree becoming too heavy with snow and dropping branches or falling onto your home.

Cold Damage

Extreme cold can lead to pipes freezing and bursting, leaving your home susceptible to flooding from the busted pipes. If you are planning to be away from your home during the winter months, a system that detects water in your home would be a good investment. This way any leaking water is caught immediately before it can cause damage to your home. Extreme cold can also damage roofs and siding, leading to cracking and broken shingles and siding.

Dirty and Polluted Water Damage

Water damage is never good, but the water left behind after a flood or other natural event can quickly cause damage to your home. It might contain sewage, dead animals, and other toxic debris, all of which cause health issues if left untreated. One of the first things you should do after storm damage is hire a property restoration company like Atlantic Property Restoration to dry out your property and clean up any mess left by dirty water.

Lightning Damage

Lightning strikes happen fast and can leave a lot of destruction in their wake. Each year in the U.S., 27 people are killed by lightning strikes, and many more buildings and trees are damaged. They can leave holes in your roof, cause trees to fall onto your home, start fires, and injure you or someone in your family. Lightning strikes happen at random and are impossible to predict, so protecting against them is difficult. The most important things are to go inside during a thunderstorm and avoid having large items, like outdated satellites or dishes, on your roof.
If your home has experienced storm damage, call the pros at Atlantic Property Restoration today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Damage

1. What type of storm causes the most damage to homes?
   Wind storms and hurricanes tend to cause the most widespread damage due to high winds, flying debris, and heavy rain. However, hail, snow, and flooding can also cause significant and costly damage depending on the conditions.
2. How can I protect my home from storm damage?
   Regular maintenance is key. Keep trees trimmed, inspect your roof for loose shingles, secure outdoor items, and ensure proper drainage around your home. Preventative steps can reduce the severity of storm-related damage.
3. What should I do immediately after storm damage occurs?
   Start by ensuring your safety and checking for hazards like downed power lines or structural damage. Then document the damage with photos and contact your insurance company and a professional restoration service as soon as possible.
4. Does homeowners insurance cover storm damage?
   Most homeowners insurance policies cover storm-related damage, including wind, hail, and lightning. However, coverage can vary, especially for flooding, so it’s important to review your policy and understand what is included.