What Steps Do I Need to Take After a Storm Destroys My Home?
Every year, inclement weather and severe storms cause millions of dollars of storm damage and destroy many homes across the country. In Minnesota, severe storms, blizzards, and tornados are incredibly common throughout the year. Just within the first few months of 2021, there were already 7 reported tornado sightings.
Other natural disasters such as floods and high winds can lead to severe damage to your home. Unfortunately, these incidents can cause immense damage, making homes unlivable. But if you are left with storm damage to your home, there are options.
Depending on the severity of the damage, a storm damage restoration service can help to clean up and repair your home to make it livable once again. Here are the steps you need to take if a storm has caused any damage to your home.
1. Get in Touch with Your Insurance Company
Most homeowner’s insurance policies include coverage for natural disasters such as tornadoes, lightning strikes, and winter storms. So, your first step should be to contact your home insurance company to see how much storm damage coverage they offer.
It is wise to take pictures and videos to document the damage so you will have it on hand if needed for additional claims. You can submit these to your insurance company ahead of time as well. They will likely send out an appraiser to assess the damage and give you an estimate based on how much coverage your policy offers.
Once the insurance company tells you your coverage, you will need to look for a local restoration service. The insurance claim process can be quite tricky – so you should look for a Minneapolis storm damage cleanup company that will work with you to get the job done.
At Rapid Restoration, we’ve dealt with many insurance companies, and we know it can be frustrating to figure out coverage claims. When you work with us, all you need to do is pay us the detectable – we will handle getting the rest of the payment from your insurance company.
2. Hire Trustworthy Restoration Service
You must work with a storm damage restoration company that can handle the job – and get it done right. A restoration company should be able to conduct all of the repairs needed to get your home back into livable condition.
For storm damage, this may include:
- Repairing water damage from floods or busted pipes
- Cleanup of fallen branches, broken structures, etc.
- Home restoration
- Weatherproofing
- Reconstruction
It is very important to get your home’s storm damage repaired as quickly as possible. Mold can start to grow within 24-48 hours within the drywall, carpets, or flooring if it is exposed to moisture. Additionally, are any biohazard spills such as gas leaks or sewage troubles need to be repaired immediately. Waiting to call a restoration service will only end up costing you more.
Partnering with our storm restoration company in Minneapolis is your best option. We service the Minneapolis and Roseville, MN area – so we can get to your property quickly to start on repairs.
We’ve helped many homeowners get their place looking as good as new even after severe storm damage. We can also help with fire, water, and mold repairs and even handle reconstruction jobs. This means you won’t have to call around for different quotes and services – we can handle it all.
3. Prepare for Future Storms
While you can never predict future storms, there are some things to do to avoid high levels of damage from future natural disasters. First, you can call Rapid Restoration before the storm blows in for emergency board-ups to protect your home. We will cover any windows that could get broken and re-enforce weak structures so they can weather the storm.
Another tip is to keep trees and bushes around your yard well-trimmed. Branches often break off in high-wind storms and they can cause quite a bit of damage to your home. By pruning trees and taking care of large, dead branches, you can protect your home.
It is also a good idea to have a restoration company on-hand for any sudden emergencies – storm-related or not. For instance, if a pipe suddenly breaks in the middle of the night, you’ll need to get it fixed before your house gets completely flooded. The sooner you get this taken care of, the better.
Having a restoration company that you know and trust will give you some peace of mind in case of any emergency. That’s why Rapid Restoration is available 24/7 and can send out a team as soon as you need our help.
Call Rapid Restoration Today!
The weather in Minnesota can be quite unpredictable – but you don’t need to worry about storm damage destroying your home. Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make. Let Rapid Restoration take care of all your repairs, restoration, and reconstruction needs.
If you have any storm damage or other restoration needs with your home, please give Rapid Restoration a call at 612-239-7411. We can provide a professional evaluation with accurate estimates based on your insurance plan. If there are any gaps in your coverage, we will work with you to create an affordable payment plan.
