Common signs of Storm Damage

When a storm passes, it can leave a lot of property damage in its wake.  While some damage is obvious, like significant roof damage, broken windows, or missing siding, some things are harder to spot.

Even worse, some of this damage can become dramatically worse if it isn’t addressed right away, making identifying storm damage incredibly important.

Here are some common signs of Storm Damage, both big and small, and what you should do if you discover it!

Roof Damage

Signs of “Big” Storm Damage to your Roof

Your roof is one of the most likely areas of your home to experience Storm Damage.  Not only can a storm rip shingles off of your roof, but if the winds are strong enough, it can rip the entire roofing structure off of the home, exposing the interior to rain and water damage both during and after the storm.

Any time you’re dealing with roof damage, it is important to keep in mind that rain and water intrusion is not only possible, it’s likely.  That’s because your roof is a barrier that protects your interior from the elements, so whenever there is damage to your roof, of any kind, rain and water has a way to get into your home.

Signs of “Small” Storm Damage to your Roof

Roof Damage isn’t always devastating, sometimes storm events, wind, or hail may cause relatively minor damage like a few missing or damaged shingles.  This damage is still a significant concern however because water intrusion that comes into your attic, exterior walls, or interior rooms can quickly lead to water damage, rot, and mold growth!

What you should do if you discover Roof Damage

Since the potential for secondary damage is so great when roof damage occurs, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage and address moisture intrusion.  If you do discover roof damage, we recommend the following:

• Take pictures of any damage you see. Your insurance company will need this.
• Have your roof tarped right away to prevent rain and water intrusion.
• Contact your local Disaster Blaster to have them address interior water damage and prevent mold growth.

Is Roof Damage covered by insurance?

The interior damage caused by rain or water getting in through damage to your roof, as well as the tarping or boardup services, are covered under most homeowners insurance policies.  As always, you should always review specific policy questions with your local insurance agent.

Coverage for the roof replacement or repair may be a little less clear, as your insurance company will need to determine if the damage to the roof was caused by a storm as compared to age, maintenance, or neglect.

Siding Damage

Signs of “Big” Storm Damage to your Siding

Following a storm, it’s common to find siding that has been damaged or is missing entirely.  Similar to roof damage, this can allow rain and water damage into your home where additional damages, rot, and mold growth can occur rapidly.

Signs of “Small” Storm Damage to your Siding

During a storm, extreme forces can be exerted on your home that cause your siding to twist and flex.  As a result, even though you may not see obvious signs of siding damage, rain and water may have been able to enter your home.  The most common areas for rain to enter during a storm include around doors and windows and through the fascia or soffit.  This water intrusion isn’t always obvious or easy to identify, so it’s important to inspect your home top to bottom following a storm to look for anything that may be amiss.

What you should do if you discover Siding Damage

In the event that siding has been damaged or is missing, you may need to have a contractor tarp or board up this area to prevent further damage and water intrusion.

Since siding that has twisted or flexed during a storm often returns to its shape after the storm has passed, boardup and tarping is generally not going to be necessary unless it is believed that water intrusion is still possible.

Whether your siding damage was big or small, it’s important to call your local Disaster Blaster to address interior water damage and prevent further damage and mold growth.

Is Siding Damage covered by insurance?

Similar to roof damage above, the interior water damage and any tarping or boardup services that may be necessary are covered under most insurance policies.

The siding damage itself is also covered under most insurance policies.  It’s important to note that not all insurance policies cover matching, which means that under some policies replacement of the siding on the affected side may be covered while replacement of the remaining siding to match will not be.

Damage to Windows & Doors

Signs of “Big” Storm Damage to Windows & Doors

While less common than roof or siding damage, broken windows or storm damage to exterior door casing or window trim does occur and similarly offers an opportunity for rain and water to get into your home.

Signs of “Small” Storm Damage to Windows & Doors

Door and window damage that results from a storm event often isn’t major damage, sometimes it’s little more than twisting or cracking of the exterior door casing or window trim that allows enough rain or water in for the framing itself to begin to rot or for mold to begin to develop.

What you should do if you discover Damage to Windows & Doors

Depending on the severity of the damage, you do want to take steps to prevent further damage while making plans for a repair by a qualified contractor.  In most cases, the casing or trim will need to be replaced and, depending on the repairs necessary, the door or window may ultimately need to be replaced as well.  Depending on the design of your home, matching the door casing or window trim to the siding may be an issue and may ultimately necessitate additional repairs in order for the work to match your exterior.

Is Damage to Windows & Doors covered by insurance?

In most cases storm damage to windows and doors will be covered under your homeowners insurance policy, however it is important to note that your insurance company will review the cause of the damage and whether lack of maintenance or neglect played a role.

Foundation Damage

Signs of “Big” Storm Damage to the Foundation / Basement

During a storm, heavy rain can cause flooding and groundwater intrusion into your home.  This can result in water entering through your foundation or first floor that can cause significant property damage.  In addition to the water intrusion itself, flooding and storm-driven groundwater can result in foundation damage that leads to ongoing or long-term water intrusion issues that hadn’t existed previously.

The severity of foundation damage caused by storm events cannot be overstated, as it can be extremely costly and complicated to repair.  In addition, foundation damage can be a safety issue and affect the structural integrity of your home.

Signs of “Small” Storm Damage to the Foundation / Basement

You may notice some groundwater that may enter your basement during storms or heavy rains.  Whether this results in standing water or not, it’s important to address this added moisture as quickly as possible to prevent additional damage.  What many people don’t realize is that even though it may not seem like a lot of moisture, the added humidity can result in mold problems and structural damage long term.

What you should do if you discover Foundation Damage

Foundation issues should be addressed as quickly as possible as they tend to only become worse over time.  A qualified contractor should be consulted to repair any foundation damage and waterproofing options that may be available to address your moisture issue long-term.

Is Foundation Damage covered by insurance?

Unlike other forms of storm damage, it’s important to note that the resultant water damage may not be covered under many insurance policies as groundwater intrusion is a common exclusion.  This groundwater intrusion, flooding, and water damage is often covered under a separate flood insurance policy.

Foundation damage that may have been caused by the water intrusion similarly is not covered under most standard homeowners insurance policies unfortunately.

Fallen Trees and Tree Branches

Signs of “Big” Storm Damage to Trees and Tree Branches

The strong winds that often accompany storms can cause trees to break or fall, which could be extremely dangerous and result in property damage if they fall on homes or other structures.  Depending on the size of the tree (or tree branch) and how it hits your home, fallen trees can cause damage to your roof, siding, decks or porches, windows or doors, or even structural damage!

Signs of “Small” Storm Damage to Trees and Tree Branches

Sometimes, if just by luck, fallen trees (or tree branches) may cause very minimal property damage, such as grazing your fascia or soffits, or falling on a deck railing or fence.  While this is certainly less severe than other damage that is possible, repairs will still be necessary to address this damage.

What you should do if you discover Damage to Trees & Tree Branches

Following a storm, it is always important to survey the damage to determine what may have occurred.  When trees are concerned, it’s always recommended to have a qualified professional remove the tree as it can be extremely dangerous to remove a tree yourself.  Once the tree has been removed, a qualified contractor should be able to prepare an estimate for the repairs that may be necessary.

Storm damage can be significant, but if it’s not addressed right away the extent of that damage will only worsen.  Hopefully these tips help you identify property damage following a storm so that you can have it resolved right away.

We hope you don’t experience storm damage to your home, but if you do, we are happy to help.  Please don’t hesitate to Contact Your Local Disaster Blaster to learn more about what may be necessary to address storm damage that may have occurred.  We’re always happy to help!

Interested in older news stories? Please see our News Archive.