Storm season can be an exciting time, but for homeowners, it often brings a sense of unease. After the wind and rain die down, the real work begins. While you might spot a few shingles in the yard, the most serious storm damage isn’t always visible to the naked eye. Hidden leaks, foundation pressure, and other quiet problems can lead to significant repairs if left unchecked. Knowing what to look for is the first step in protecting your home and your peace of mind.
How Your Home Can Be Affected By A Storm:
- Roof Damage: Storms can damage your roof, including missing or damaged shingles, leaks, and cracks. This can lead to water damage inside your home and create safety hazards from falling debris. To protect your home from roof damage, ensure your roof is inspected and maintained regularly by a professional.
- Water Damage: Heavy rain and flooding can damage your home, including your foundation, walls, and floors. This can lead to mold growth, structural damage, and safety hazards. To prevent water damage, ensure your gutters and downspouts are clear of debris, and consider installing a sump pump in your basement or crawl space.
- Power Outages: Storms can cause power outages, leaving you without electricity and access to essential appliances. This can be particularly dangerous in extreme weather conditions. To prepare for power outages, consider investing in a backup generator or stocking up on non-perishable food and water.
- Tree Damage: Strong winds can cause trees and branches to fall, damaging your home and creating safety hazards. To prevent tree damage, ensure your trees are pruned regularly and consider removing any trees close to your home.
- Foundation Damage: Heavy rain and flooding can also cause foundation damage, including settling, cracking, and shifting. This can lead to structural damage and safety hazards. To prevent foundation damage, ensure your home’s drainage system is functioning properly, or consider investing in foundation repair solutions, such as helical or slab piers.
A Homeowner’s Guide to Storm Damage and Recovery
When a big storm rolls through, the first feeling is often relief that it’s over. But then comes the worry about what it left behind. Walking around your property to see the aftermath can be overwhelming, and it’s tough to know where to even begin. The good news is that you can get through it with a clear plan. This guide will walk you through the essential steps for assessing storm damage and starting the recovery process, so you can feel confident about getting your home back to normal.
What to Do Immediately After the Storm
Before you do anything else, prioritize your safety. Stay away from downed power lines and be cautious of any standing water, as it could be electrically charged. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, leave your home immediately and call your utility company. Once you’ve confirmed the area is safe, your next step is to start documenting everything. Grab your phone and take photos and videos of all the damage, both inside and outside your home. Get close-ups of specific issues and wider shots to show the full context. This visual record is incredibly important for your insurance claim, so be as thorough as you can. It’s much easier to capture the initial state of things right away than to try and remember it all later.
As you document, do a careful walk-through of your property. Look for obvious problems like missing shingles, broken windows, or damaged siding. Check for fallen tree limbs that may have caused impact damage to your roof or walls. Inside, look for signs of water intrusion, such as damp spots on the ceiling or walls, and check your basement or crawl space for any flooding. Making a detailed list of every issue you find will help you stay organized when you start making calls for repairs. This initial assessment gives you a solid starting point for your insurance claim and helps you understand the scope of the work ahead.
Assessing the Damage: A Closer Look
Once the immediate safety concerns are handled, it’s time to take a more detailed look at the specific types of damage your home may have sustained. Storms can affect your house in ways that aren’t always obvious at first glance, from hidden water leaks to subtle shifts in your foundation. Knowing what to look for can help you catch problems early and prevent them from turning into bigger, more expensive issues down the road. A thorough inspection now will ensure you address every problem and restore your home’s safety and integrity. Let’s break down the key areas you need to check.
Checking for Water Damage
Heavy, driving rain is a hallmark of Arkansas storms, and it has a knack for finding its way into our homes. Water can seep in through a damaged roof, poorly sealed windows, or even through the ground surrounding your foundation. Start by looking for the most obvious signs: water stains on ceilings and walls, peeling paint, or damp carpets. Don’t forget to check less-visited areas like attics, basements, and crawl spaces, as these are common spots for moisture to collect. A musty smell is also a tell-tale sign of hidden moisture. If you find water, it’s crucial to address not just the cleanup but the source of the leak to prevent long-term problems like mold growth and wood rot. Addressing persistent moisture issues might involve professional crawl space repair to keep the area dry for good.
Inspecting for Wind and Impact Damage
Strong winds can do more than just rattle your windows; they can peel shingles right off your roof, tear away siding, and turn loose items in your yard into projectiles. After a storm, carefully inspect your roof from the ground, looking for any missing or curled shingles. Check your siding for cracks, dents, or sections that have been pulled away from the house. Also, look for damage from falling branches or other debris that may have struck your home. Even small impacts can create openings for water to get in, so it’s important to identify and seal any new cracks or holes. This kind of damage compromises your home’s first line of defense against the elements, so prompt repairs are key.
Don’t Forget Your Foundation
One of the most overlooked but critical areas to inspect after a storm is your home’s foundation. Intense rainfall can oversaturate the soil around your house, causing it to expand and put immense pressure on your foundation walls. This can lead to new cracks, shifting, or settling. Look for signs of trouble both inside and outside. Check your basement or exterior foundation walls for new cracks, especially horizontal ones. Inside, be on the lookout for doors and windows that suddenly stick, or new cracks appearing in your drywall above doorways. These are often the first indicators of foundation problems. Addressing these issues early with a professional can prevent serious structural damage from developing over time.
## The Reality of Storm Damage When a big storm rolls through, the most obvious damage is what we see first—a downed tree limb or missing shingles. But the full impact isn’t always visible from the curb. Storm damage can be surprisingly complex, affecting your home from the roof right down to the foundation. The six most common types of storm damage include issues from wind, hail, water, lightning, ice, and impact from flying debris. Each of these can create a chain reaction of problems. For example, a few shingles blown off by the wind can let rain into your attic, which can then seep into walls and eventually compromise the structural integrity of your home. Understanding the different ways a storm can affect your property is the first step in knowing what to look for and how to protect your biggest investment. ## Common Types of Storm Damage Storms in Arkansas can be unpredictable, and the damage they leave behind varies. From the high winds of a thunderstorm to the heavy downpours that can lead to flooding, each weather event poses a unique threat to your home. Knowing what to look for after the skies clear can help you catch problems early before they turn into major, costly repairs. Let’s walk through some of the most common types of damage you might encounter. ### Wind Damage You don’t need a tornado to cause serious problems; strong straight-line winds over 58 miles per hour are enough to peel shingles from your roof or rip siding from your walls. When this protective outer layer is compromised, it creates an open invitation for rainwater to get inside your home. Even more common is when powerful gusts send tree branches—or entire trees—crashing down onto your house or power lines. This not only causes direct structural damage but can also lead to dangerous situations. After any storm with significant wind, it’s a good idea to do a walk-around of your property to check for any new vulnerabilities. ### Hail Damage Hail can be incredibly destructive in a short amount of time. Those frozen pellets can act like tiny hammers, leaving dents and dings all over your property. Hail is notorious for damaging roofs by cracking or knocking off shingles, which can lead to leaks. It can also crack windows, shatter sliding glass doors, and put holes in your home’s siding and gutters. The damage might look cosmetic at first, but even small cracks and holes can allow water to seep in over time, leading to rot, mold, and other moisture-related issues that can be a real headache down the road. ### Water and Flood Damage Heavy, persistent rain is a hallmark of Arkansas storms, and it can be one of the biggest threats to your home’s stability. When the ground becomes oversaturated, the excess water looks for somewhere to go. This can lead to basement flooding or a soaked crawl space. This immense pressure from the water in the soil, known as hydrostatic pressure, can push against your foundation walls, causing them to bow or crack. Over time, this can lead to serious foundation problems. It’s important to remember that damage from overland flooding, like a nearby creek overflowing its banks, is often not covered by standard homeowner’s insurance and may require a separate flood policy. ### Lightning Damage A lightning strike is one of the most dramatic and dangerous parts of a storm. A direct hit can, of course, cause a fire and significant structural damage. However, even a nearby strike can send a powerful electrical surge through your home’s wiring. This can fry your electronics, ruin expensive appliances, and damage your entire electrical system. The aftermath of a lightning strike isn’t always as obvious as a fire; sometimes the only sign is a few appliances that suddenly stop working, so it’s worth checking your major systems after a particularly intense electrical storm passes through. ### Ice and Snow Damage While we might not get the blizzards of the northern states, winter storms can still pack a punch. The weight of heavy, wet snow and ice can strain your roof and gutters, potentially leading to collapse. The real trouble often starts when it all begins to melt. As large amounts of snow melt rapidly, the runoff can overwhelm your drainage systems and saturate the soil around your home. This creates conditions similar to a heavy rainstorm, putting pressure on your foundation and potentially leading to leaks in your basement or crawl space. Proper crawl space waterproofing can be a key defense against this seasonal threat. ### Impact Damage Impact damage is essentially anything that the storm picks up and throws at your house. During high winds or flash floods, loose items in your yard or your neighbor’s yard can become dangerous projectiles. This could be anything from patio furniture and garbage cans to larger, more destructive debris like fallen trees or building materials. These impacts can break windows, dent siding, and in severe cases, cause significant structural damage to your walls or roof. Securing loose items before a storm is one of the best ways to prevent this kind of collateral damage. ## What to Do Immediately After a Storm The moments after a storm passes can feel overwhelming. Your yard might be a mess, and you may be worried about what damage you’ll find. It’s easy to want to jump right into cleanup mode, but it’s important to proceed with a clear, methodical plan. Taking the right steps in the right order will not only keep you safe but will also make the recovery and insurance process much smoother. ### Prioritize Safety First Before you do anything else, make sure the area is safe for you and your family. Your well-being is the absolute top priority. Be on the lookout for downed power lines—always assume they are live and stay far away. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, leave your home immediately and call the utility company from a safe distance. Be cautious of standing water, especially in your basement, as it could be electrically charged. Also, look out for structural hazards like sagging ceilings or unstable walls. If you have any doubt about the safety of your home, it’s best to stay out until it has been inspected by a professional. ### How to Assess and Document the Damage Once you’ve confirmed it’s safe to move around your property, your next job is to become a detective. Thoroughly documenting all the damage is one of the most critical steps for filing a successful insurance claim. Don’t rush this process. Be as detailed as possible, as this information will be your primary evidence when you talk to your insurance adjuster. #### Photograph and Video Everything Before you move or clean up anything, pull out your smartphone and start recording. Take wide shots of your entire property from different angles, and then move in for close-ups of every single bit of damage. Photograph the broken windows, the missing shingles, the debris in your yard, and any water stains on your ceilings or walls. Video is great, too; you can walk through your home and narrate what you’re seeing. This visual record is invaluable and provides undeniable proof of your home’s condition immediately following the storm. #### Create a Detailed Inventory While you’re taking photos, start making a written list of everything that was damaged. For each item, write down a description, its approximate age, and what you think it would cost to replace it. If you have receipts or warranties for more expensive items like appliances or electronics, gather those as well. This detailed inventory will help you fill out your insurance claim forms accurately and ensure you don’t forget anything. It might feel tedious, but a thorough list can make a huge difference in the amount of your settlement. ### When to Call for a Professional Assessment Some storm damage is obvious, but other issues, particularly those affecting your home’s structure, can be subtle. If you see new cracks in your foundation or drywall, if your floors feel spongy or uneven, or if you have water in your basement or crawl space that keeps coming back, it’s time to call in an expert. A professional can assess whether the storm has caused underlying foundation damage that needs to be addressed. At Vesta, we offer free inspections to help homeowners understand the extent of the problem and what it will take to make their home safe and secure again. It’s always better to get a professional opinion than to let a small issue turn into a major structural failure. ## The Storm Restoration Process Explained Figuring out how to put everything back together after a storm can feel like a monumental task. Luckily, you don’t have to do it alone. Professional restoration companies have a step-by-step process to take your home from damaged to done. While every situation is unique, the general path to recovery follows five main steps. Understanding this process can help you know what to expect and reduce some of the stress and uncertainty that comes with storm recovery. ### Step 1: Emergency Response and Initial Assessment The very first step is to stop any further damage from occurring. This might involve professionals placing tarps over a damaged roof to keep rain out or boarding up broken windows. Once the property is secured, they will perform a thorough assessment to determine the full scope of the damage. This initial inspection is crucial for creating a detailed plan of action for the repairs and for providing accurate information to your insurance company. ### Step 2: Water and Debris Removal The next priority is to get rid of anything that doesn’t belong, starting with water and debris. If your home has flooded, industrial-grade pumps and vacuums will be used to remove the standing water quickly. This is a critical step to prevent the growth of mold and to stop secondary water damage to your home’s structure and contents. At the same time, crews will work to clear away any fallen trees, branches, and other debris from your property. ### Step 3: Structural and Exterior Repairs With the immediate threats removed, the focus shifts to repairing the “bones” of your house. This is the phase where the heavy lifting happens. It includes fixing the roof, repairing or replacing siding, and addressing any structural issues with the walls or frame. If the storm has compromised your foundation, this is when specialized foundation repair products, like helical piers, would be installed to stabilize your home and ensure its long-term safety and integrity. ### Step 4: Interior Repairs and Cleanup Once the outside of your home is secure and weatherproof, work moves inside. This step involves repairing everything that was damaged within your home. This can include replacing drywall, laying new flooring, hanging new cabinets, and repairing electrical or plumbing systems. This is often the longest phase of the restoration process, as it involves multiple trades and careful attention to detail to make your house feel like home again. ### Step 5: Final Inspection and Working with Insurance The final step is a thorough walkthrough to ensure all repairs have been completed to the highest standard and that you are satisfied with the work. Throughout the entire process, the restoration company will typically work closely with your insurance company, providing the necessary documentation and communication to help ensure your claim is processed smoothly. This final inspection confirms that your home is safe, sound, and fully restored. ## Understanding Your Insurance Coverage Navigating insurance policies can be confusing on a good day, let alone after the stress of a storm. However, having a basic understanding of your coverage is essential for a smooth recovery process. Not all damage is covered by a standard policy, and knowing what to expect can help you prepare financially and emotionally for the road ahead. It’s always a good idea to review your policies annually, before a storm hits, so you know exactly where you stand. ### Homeowners Insurance vs. Flood Insurance This is one of the most important distinctions for homeowners to understand. A standard homeowners insurance policy covers many types of water damage, such as water from a burst pipe or rain coming through a hole in your roof. However, it almost never covers damage from flooding. For insurance purposes, a “flood” is defined as rising water from an outside source, like an overflowing river or heavy rainfall that saturates the ground. To be covered for this type of event, you need a separate flood insurance policy, which is often administered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). ### Does Car Insurance Cover Storm Damage? Your home isn’t the only valuable asset at risk during a storm. Hail can leave your car looking like a golf ball, or a falling branch can shatter your windshield. Whether or not your auto insurance covers this depends on your policy. Basic liability insurance will not cover storm damage. You need to have comprehensive coverage. This is an optional add-on that covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events, including storms, fire, theft, and vandalism. It’s a good idea to check your auto policy to see if you have comprehensive coverage, especially if you don’t have a garage to protect your vehicle.Our Solution
Vesta Foundation Solutions understands homeowners’ challenges during storm season. That’s why we offer a range of home repair solutions to protect your home from damage and help restore it to its condition. We use the latest techniques and equipment to ensure your foundation repair job is done right the first time.
If you’re concerned about storm season effects on your home, schedule your FREE Vesta Foundation Solutions today! Learn more about how we can protect your home from damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
I see a new crack in my foundation after a big storm. Should I be worried? Any new crack is worth paying attention to, especially after a storm. Heavy rain can saturate the soil around your home, putting a lot of pressure on your foundation. While tiny hairline cracks can sometimes be normal, new or growing cracks, particularly horizontal ones, can be a sign of a bigger problem. It’s always best to have a professional take a look to determine the cause and give you peace of mind.
My basement always gets a little damp after heavy rain. Is this something I need to fix? Yes, that’s definitely something you’ll want to address. Even a little bit of moisture can lead to mold, musty smells, and damage to your belongings and your home’s structure over time. Persistent dampness is often a sign that water pressure is building up against your foundation walls, which can cause more serious issues down the road. A proper waterproofing system can keep your basement dry for good.
What are the most overlooked signs of storm damage? It’s easy to spot a missing shingle, but some of the most critical damage is more subtle. After a storm, pay close attention to doors or windows that suddenly stick when you try to open or close them. Also, check for new cracks in your drywall, especially over doorways, or floors that feel bouncy or uneven. These can all be indicators that the storm caused a shift in your home’s foundation.
Can I start cleaning up before my insurance adjuster arrives? Before you move or throw anything away, your first step should be to take detailed photos and videos of all the damage. This documentation is crucial for your insurance claim. You can and should take steps to prevent further damage, like placing a tarp over a hole in the roof or boarding up a broken window. Just be sure to tell your insurance agent about these temporary repairs.
How do I know if I need a professional to look at my home’s damage? If the damage is straightforward, like a broken window pane, you might know exactly who to call. But for anything related to your home’s structure or persistent water issues, a professional assessment is the safest bet. If you see foundation cracks, have water in your basement or crawl space, or notice your floors are no longer level, it’s time to call an expert. They can identify the root cause of the problem, not just the symptom.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize safety, then document everything: Before you start any cleanup, check for immediate dangers like downed power lines. Once it’s safe, use your phone to take detailed photos and videos of all the damage, as this visual proof is crucial for your insurance claim.
- Look beyond the obvious damage: Storms often cause hidden problems that can worsen over time. Be sure to inspect your attic, basement, and crawl space for water intrusion and look for new cracks in your foundation or drywall, which can signal structural shifts.
- Recognize when to call a professional: While you can handle minor cleanup, you shouldn’t ignore potential structural issues. If you find foundation cracks or can’t resolve a water problem, getting an expert assessment is the best way to protect your home’s long-term stability.