We expect to face tropical storms, lightning, hail, flooding, or hurricanes at some point in Florida. Some storms give us time to prepare our homes, but others catch us by surprise. They can leave behind a trail of chaos, debris, and property damage like missing shingles, torn siding, broken windows, or felled trees.
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed in the aftermath of a severe storm. You may wonder where to start the process of restoring your home. If harsh weather strikes your residence, Restore & More is here to help relieve the burden of cleanup, repairs, and restoration.
Read on to learn how to deal with home storm damage safely.
Identify Potential Hazards
If your home is exposed to the elements or in danger of collapsing, get out and stay elsewhere. After ensuring that you and your household are safe, it’s essential to check for any hazards created by the damage to your home. Take pictures of your property, especially in areas affected by the storm.
Look for:
- Roof damage
- Structural damage
- Flooding
- Broken windows
- Storm surge
- Debris
Until your insurer does their inspection, only make essential repairs and keep any receipts. This will help ensure you get the most out of your insurance coverage.
Remove Debris
Florida storms can wreak havoc on your home and landscape. Heavy winds can scatter debris, making trees, structures, and fences topple. Sometimes, large trees or branches fall and puncture through roofs, allowing rain to damage drywall, furniture, and personal belongings.
Picking up storm debris can be time-consuming and dangerous, especially in cases of downed electrical lines or blocked home entrances. If you’re concerned about cleaning up safely, call a professional storm expert to help remove debris quickly and efficiently.
Call Your Insurance Provider
Your homeowner’s or flood insurance policy might cover some of your storm damage. Make your claim within the insurance company’s timeline, which may change in the event of a widespread disaster. Typically, homeowner’s policies can provide for tornado, water, and roof damage, food spoilage, and lodging expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may help you with storm damage if you aren’t covered by any other insurance.
Understand Your Adjuster’s Role
Remember that insurance adjusters often work for your insurance company, not you. This means that they may assess repair costs in the company’s favor. Public adjusters would help negotiate claims in your interests but charge a fee. Also, they can’t offer legal advice.
Inspect Your Inspection
Walk along with your adjuster as they check your home for storm damage. Point out issues they might have missed. Your pictures will make a handy reference as well.
Call Restore & More for Professional Storm Damage Help
Residential and commercial property owners throughout Palm Beach County and Martin County turn to Restore & More for expert disaster assistance. We provide 24/7 emergency wind damage cleanup and repair, including debris and trees. Plus, we can work directly with your insurance company to save you time and stress.
Our experienced restoration specialists are trained and equipped to clean up water intrusion, minimize mold risks, and remediate your property damaged by storms. When you call Restore & More, you can expect help anytime – day or night – including weekends and holidays. No need to wait – start recovering your property with Restore & More right away.