3 Ways Storms Can Damage Your Home | SERVPRO® of Westfield

8/18/2022 (Permalink)

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, make SERVPRO of Westfield your first call.

Hazardous storms frequently cause major concerns for homeowners. While most current homes are constructed to take on these severe threats, most every home or property will experience some type of damage when severe weather rolls through town.

Depending on the time of year and the type of storm, strong winds and wind-related calamities can create lightning, flash floods, cold rain and snowstorms, which all present a serious risk to your property and the structure of your home.

Based on the kinds of storms and events taking place, various sorts of damage could affect your home. The surrounding terrain of your property, the region’s geography and the quality of your home’s base or construction materials are just a few of the many variables that affect how much damage could occur. (We’ll admit, there is also a component of chance.)

While being aware of the various weather dangers that could arise is beneficial, understanding the potential effects on our particular area is far more crucial. Your Westfield home is vulnerable to weather such as severe thunderstorms, floods and hurricanes.

Living in a storm-damaged home is never recommended unless safety experts give their approval. Various kinds of damage will be apparent straight away, but other kinds may not be visible to the naked eye.

To help you better plan for them, let’s explore the three primary forms of storm damage:

Wind

When violent wind gusts that blow at absurdly high speeds strike buildings, wind damage can occur. The most frequent cause of strong winds is tornadoes and hurricanes, although even thunderstorms can generate gusts of up to 100 mph.

Debris scattered throughout your yard may be lifted by strong winds and tossed into your home or cars. You must remain indoors during storms and stay away from any windows and exterior walls in case glass breaks or the walls are pierced by flying debris.

You can also take precautions ahead of the storm to reduce the amount of wind-related damage. Reduce the amount of material a storm has to work with by keeping your property free of any limbs, big rocks, loose furniture and dead trees.

Water

Water damage is a very frequent occurrence both during and following a storm. Even a small storm can produce rain showers that cause water to collect around your home and then seep inside through the seals on your doors and windows.

If there is enough water present, it may potentially seep into your foundation and severely damage its structural integrity.

Consider using creative landscaping methods that send water away from your home instead of amassing next to it to reduce the amount of damage that water may do to your property. Alternately, you may put in a rain garden, which is a smart way to brighten your yard and keep all that rainwater from becoming a major issue.

For your gutters to function as intended and keep the weight of water off your roof, you should regularly clean them out. Water can gather in clogged gutters and make its way into your house from the top, seeping down to the bottom.

Impact

Another typical form of storm damage that can have disastrous effects on your home is “impact damage.” Strong winds can cause trees to fall or debris to be blown into your property, causing significant harm. In essence, this type of damage encompasses anything that hits (or impacts) your home or other items on your property.

Trimming branches near your property and making sure any dead trees are cleared are the best ways to prevent this kind of catastrophe from happening.

Weather-related catastrophes cost more than $145 billion in destruction in the United States alone in 2021. By preventing these common disasters before they start, these techniques can help you safeguard your home and save you a ton of time and money.

Give SERVPRO of Westfield a call if your home is impacted by the hazards of a severe storm. Our restoration specialists are prepared to handle any size damage with cutting-edge technology and years of expertise.

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! Contact us today to get your storm damage restoration started faster.