How to Check Your Manteca or Modesto Home for Storm Damage

11/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Manteca and Modesto’s highly-trained professionals can assist you in completing storm damage repairs.

The storm has passed, and the wind has calmed down. The skies begin to clear outside, and your Manteca or Modesto property appears to be unharmed. It is essential to do a quick check around the home to ensure there is no storm damage! What about the ceiling? The windows? What about the rain gutters and siding? What about your home, in general? How do you know your home is undamaged after a storm?

It is impossible to predict how much damage a storm may cause. Even if your home appears to have weathered the storm, a trip around your property may expose a hazard you would not have noticed otherwise.

Roofing might break, paint can flake, and concrete can wear away. The sooner you examine the damages, the better. And even if you feel your home survived the storm with minor damage, it's always a good idea to do the following:

1. Check the roof for visible wreckage and check for missing or broken tiles.

Even if the affected site is minimal, a dented or damaged roof can pose significant issues. Water may have leaked into the interior of the home during the storm, and if ignored, it will result in more severe water damage issues. Are there any missing shingles? And even if a shingle is still on the roof but has slipped, it might still cause water damage.

2. Try to assess the water stains on the interior and exterior walls.

Is there any evident moisture on your external walls or within your home? Water damage can result when heavy rain pours during a storm and gets into minor gaps in the walls.

After a storm, it can take a few days for external walls to dry up, so keep an eye on them for a few days. Keeping watch ensures you won't miss any moist spots that become prominent after the storm has passed and the house has dried out.

3. Exterior walls should be checked for holes and dents.

A spider-web pattern of cracks spreading out from a single site is a common indication of storm or hurricane damage. It implies that an impact on the outer wall was substantial enough to damage the interior foam insulation.

Chipped paint or plaster and small holes in the cement surface are damage symptoms and should be taken seriously.

4. Check for water pools in the basement and other crawl spaces.

If at all possible, look underneath your house in the crawl areas. Look for water pools, as this could indicate a more severe drainage issue.

It is imperative to get rid of any water pools or flooding underneath your home. To prevent it from happening again, use a sump pump to remove the water. Mold formation, wood decay, and structural damage can arise from water accumulating in basements, tight spaces, cracks, and crevices.

5. Carefully inspect each window, fascias, and gutters.

Although the storm may not have damaged your windows, always examine them. Look for signs of water inside your windows, as this could indicate a minor leak that could turn into a major one.

It is also equally important to examine the surface of your soffits and fascias when you have safe access. Any dents, cracks, or paint chips caused by hail could indicate a more significant problem beneath the surface.

Because hail and windstorms are usually directional, only one side may be damaged, while the other sides seem to be unaffected. It is also essential to check at different times of the day to see whether the difference in lighting allows you to see damage more clearly.

You can make a lot of minor repairs yourself after a storm. In addition to a comprehensive examination, you would like to ensure that your home is ready for any future storms.

SERVPRO of Manteca and Modesto’s highly-trained professionals can assist you in completing storm damage repairs as well as preparing your property for future storms or harsh weather. We want you to be able to return to your home as soon as possible. Whether you are dealing with minor storm damage or something more serious, our team has the skills and equipment to clean, restore your house and get your life back to normal after a storm.