What to Check Around Your Home After a Storm
After a wild storm, that calm feeling can be a little strange, right? The wind and rain might be gone, but there could still be hidden dangers around your place. Knowing what to check first and in what order really helps keep your family safe and makes cleaning up way less stressful. This guide will walk you through the must-do safety checks for your home and property once severe weather has passed.
Initial Safety Checks
Before you even think about heading outside to see what happened, your top priority is making sure everyone is safe indoors. Your family’s safety always comes before worrying about property. Just stay put until emergency services give the all-clear.
Once it’s safe to move around, keep an eye out for these immediate dangers:
- Downed Power Lines: Always assume any fallen line is live. Keep at least 10 meters away and call your electricity provider right away. Remember, water conducts electricity, so be extra careful near puddles or wet ground if there are fallen wires nearby.
- Gas Leaks: If you get a whiff of gas or hear a hissing sound, turn off the main gas valve if you can do it safely. Open windows, get everyone out of the house, and then call your gas company from a safe distance.
- Fallen Trees and Debris: Big branches or whole trees can be wobbly and might hide other dangers, like power lines. Be really careful around them. If a tree has caused major structural damage to your home, you’ll often need professional tree removal to make sure it’s handled safely without causing more harm to your property.
Assessing Property Damage
With the immediate dangers out of the way, you can start looking more closely at your property. It’s a smart move to snap photos and videos of all the damage before you start any cleanup or repairs. This documentation will be super important for any insurance claims. Knowing the right steps to take after storm damage can make the claims process much smoother.
Start by looking around from the ground level:
- Roof: Check for any missing, cracked, or loose tiles or shingles. If you have binoculars, use them to get a better look without having to climb onto a potentially wobbly roof.
- Gutters and Downpipes: See if they’re still firmly attached and clear of any gunk. Clogged gutters can cause water to back up and sneak into your roof space.
- Windows and Doors: Look for cracks, broken glass, and damaged seals. Make sure they still open and close properly.
- Exterior Walls: Check for cracks in brickwork or siding, especially around windows and doors. These could be signs of structural stress.
- Indoors: Look at ceilings and walls for water stains or damp spots. These can point to a roof or plumbing leak. Don’t forget to check the attic or roof space if you can get to it safely.
When to Call the Experts
Some tasks after a storm are easy enough to do yourself, like clearing small branches from the lawn. But for many situations, you’ll need an expert to make sure the job gets done safely and correctly. Knowing when to call in the pros is key.
You should always call a professional for these things:
- Electrical Issues: If your power is out or you think there’s any damage to your home’s wiring, call a licensed electrician. Never try to fix electrical problems yourself.
- Major Water Damage: If you have serious flooding or water coming into your home, a water damage restoration specialist can help dry everything out properly to stop mould from growing.
- Structural Concerns: If you spot big cracks in your foundation or walls, or if your roof is sagging, you need a structural engineer or a qualified builder to check how sound your home is.
- Insurance Claims: Get in touch with your insurance company as soon as you can. They can guide you on what to do next and might need to send an assessor. Following a step-by-step guide for homeowners can help you stay organised through this whole process.
Preventative Measures for Next Time
You can’t stop a storm from hitting, but you can definitely take steps to lessen the damage next time. Regular maintenance makes a huge difference in how well your home handles the next big blow.
Think about adding these tasks to your regular home maintenance schedule:
- Trim Trees and Branches: Keep the trees near your house well-trimmed, getting rid of any dead or overhanging branches that could fall onto your roof or power lines.
- Clean Gutters: Regularly clear out leaves and debris from your gutters and downpipes. This stops water from overflowing and causing potential damage.
- Secure Outdoor Items: Before a storm is expected, tie down or put away loose items like outdoor furniture, trampolines, and garden tools. These can become dangerous projectiles in strong winds.
- Check Your Roof: Have your roof inspected every few years. This helps catch and fix any loose tiles or small damage before it turns into a big problem during a storm.
Taking these steps beforehand can make you feel a lot more confident that your home is as ready as it can be for whatever the weather throws its way. After a storm, take your time, stay safe, and don’t hesitate to ask for professional help when you need it.
This is a collaborative post.
