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Complete this form and we will contact you as soon as possible.
For emergencies call: 317-788-0911
Summertime means storm season across the Midwest, and the weather can be quite unpredictable at times. Each year, many local homes suffer significant damage - some of the most common types that affect residential properties are wind damage, water damage, and hail damage.
When threats of inclement weather and storm damage loom, homeowners need to know what to do to keep their properties as secure as possible. There are precautions you can take each year to make sure your home is as safe as possible from storm damage.
Hays + Sons shares the action items you should take before and during a storm to give you the best chance at minimizing storm damage. Follow these simple tips and you'll be able to rest a little easier during summer storm season.
There's nothing quite like the sound of a storm raging outside. As enjoyable as it may be to watch from the safety of your home, it's important to take precautions outdoors each year, which will help protect your home and property.
One of the most important things you can do is inspect your roof for existing damage. Loose shingles need to be secured to prevent them from breaking off and doing further damage to the roof. Replace missing shingles to avoid further damage caused by wind.
Another important step is to replace any missing or damaged pieces of siding. Strong winds can easily get underneath loose pieces and tear them from the house.
Make sure to clean out your gutters so water runoff has a path to drain. Route gutters away from the home so water does not pool and damage your foundation.
Also, seal any cracks around windows, doors, wall penetrations, and in the foundation. Sealing these openings will help prevent the infiltration of water along with wind damage.
Make sure to test your sump pump for proper performance and ensure it is powered. The sump pump is your line of protection against flooding and water damage within your basement or crawlspace. Installing a battery backup sump pump provides extra protection from flooding should your primary unit malfunction, fail, or simply be unable to handle the workload.
In addition, remember to secure your doors with dead bolts during inclement weather to prevent them from blowing open in strong winds. If your home is equipped with shutters, close and secure them to protect window panes from shattering. If you lose power, unplug all electrical items to prevent them from being damaged by surges.
During storm season, you need to be ready for an emergent situation. This means having a plan in place and taking the necessary precautions ahead of time. Be sure to keep all of your emergency supplies stocked and ready to go.
If your home is susceptible to power outages, make sure you have a portable generator on hand. Or, have a backup generator installed to power your essential home systems if you lose utility power. Properly maintain generators ahead of storm season and keep adequate fuel safely and accessible stored.
Protect vehicles from storm damage by moving them into a garage prior to foul weather’s arrival. If flooding is a threat, move your vehicles to higher ground whenever possible.
When a storm is headed your way or there is a likelihood of inclement weather due to the season, it's important to take the proper precautions to protect your home and property from storm damage. Preparing ahead of storm season each year will help you minimize losses despite being stuck in a storm.
If your residence sustains severe storm damage, do not enter your home until it has been inspected by a professional. Hays + Sons offers professional water damage remediation services to restore your home to its former glory. When you need help picking up the pieces left behind by storm damage, please contact us.