Home Renovations After a Major Storm or Natural Disaster
Many homeowners don’t even consider making home renovations or improvements until after a major storm like a hurricane or tropical storm passes through. Home renovations after a storm have the added benefit of being easier on your budget since the insurance company usually provides some of the compensation for completion of the remodeling project. Listed below are just a few of the areas of damage your home could experience, and result in homeowner insurance coverage for the outside remodeling projects.
Broken Windows: If you have yet to enclose your windows with shutters, you are putting your house at substantial risk. Wind, water and glass damage are a combination for disaster. Carefully evaluate areas around broken windows. Examine all windows protected by shutters as well.
Roof Lifting: When the intense winds from a hurricane strike a house, one of the first things to be hit hardest is the roof. Steep roofs, surprisingly enough, are less likely to lift. Those closer to the span of an airplane, quite literally, are positioned to “fly” if the wind blows under them.
Basement Flooding: Determine how the water got in there – did the area flood? If so, your flood insurance will be needed. Did rain come in as a result of a broken basement window? This should be covered. Did the ground become saturated and start leaking in? This is a big problem and will probably not be covered.
Blown in Garage Door: Garage doors aren’t built to withstand the pressure build up from a hurricane that could expand in your garage or the forced wind/hail/rain coming from the outside. If the garage door was damaged, you might consider a garage remodel at the same time.
Moisture Damage: Rain can be pitched in anywhere around your home. If you have an older home (over 10 years old) you may not be able to determine the extent of your moisture damage. Call in an expert to evaluate problematic areas that could build into significant mold damage if not treated.
Damage from Landscaping and Yard/Patio Items: Pebbles, branches, patio furniture – all are moving targets that could have hit your siding, enclosed patio, garage, roof at random places. Carefully evaluate your home for dents and scrapes. Take extra care to prove it was indeed , for example, a table that blew across the yard, that could have created the damage.
Destroyed Doors: Doors will shake and crack the frame – open them carefully and close them to determine if they shifted.
Lost Shingles and Roofing: If you have not replaced your roof recently, it may be hard to prove damage was created by a recent storm. Have a professional evaluate your roof to determine how badly repairs are needed before the storm.
Blown Off Siding: As you are looking for dents in your siding, take note of siding that has been blown off.
Porch – Before you walk on to your porch or patio, look at it and underneath it for any potential damage.
Ruined Appliances and Electronic Equipment: Electric shorts, water damage and debris could easily ruin your television, washer/dryer or anything that runs on electricity. Take care if your electricity is ON and there is water present.
Fire Damage: Speaking of water and electricity, fire damage may have occurred – move around your home with caution looking for (and smelling for) fire damage
Have You Remodeled After a Disaster?
If so, share your experiences below.