Storm damage can wreak havoc on your home. Nobody can totally prepare for the unexpected costs that come with thunder and windstorms. Rising water levels, destructive winds, and even heavy rainfall can all impact your property after a large storm. However, you can make life easier after severe storm damage by taking these steps and calling Green Genie Environmental. Here are a few things you should not hesitate to do after a storm damages your home.
Assess the Damage
The first thing you should do after a storm is to assess the damage. You need to know what has been ruined, what can be saved, and what you need to clean up. Depending on the type of storm and location of your property, damage can vary. Types of storm damage include fallen trees, roof leaks, structure complications, high water, backed-up sewers, and electrical issues. Once you know which categories of damage your property has sustained, such as water and wind, then you can proceed to the cleanup.
Remember to Stay Safe
After a storm, many hazards lurk nearby. Power lines could be down in standing water near your home. Tree limbs could be precariously perched, ready to fall at any moment. Floodwaters could be much deeper than they appear. Because of this, it is essential to remember to stay safe and take precautions. Do not leave your home more than necessary until it’s declared safe to do so by storm cleanup officials.
Other Things To Remember
- Band together with your neighbors to ensure everyone is okay and to work together on cleanup.
- Avoid driving more than needed. Check road conditions and avoid flooded areas.
- You don’t want to risk flooding sewer lines, so make sure that your plumbing is functional before flushing any toilets.
- Keep pets inside.
- Operate generators outside in the open air, away from windows and doors.
- Be very careful climbing ladders or working on roofs.
- Use extreme caution if using a chainsaw to cut trees or branches.
- Cover leaking roofs before the next rain to prevent further water damage.
- Remove wet rugs and carpet from floors.
- Open windows and run fans if you have water damage in your home.
Call Your Insurance
One of the most critical steps after sustaining storm damage is to contact your insurance provider(s). Sometimes the damage is not limited to your property but may also affect vehicles, boats, and other belongings. Make sure to safely document any damage with photos/videos before calling your insurance. It may also be helpful to write a list of items and property that sustained damage. Do not hesitate to leave messages or contact your insurance through multiple avenues if they are slow to respond. After a severe storm, insurance providers are busy dealing with many calls; persistence is key.
Call Green Genie Environmental
Once you have assessed the damage, documented things properly for your insurance, and remembered to put safety first, you will want to get your cleanup and repairs started. Green Genie Environmental offers a wide array of storm damage cleanup services, including wind- and water-related cleanup. We also promise to meet our customers’ needs in an environmentally friendly manner. At Green Genie, we never use chemical agents that could be harmful to people, pets, plants, and belongings. Our services include roof and exterior, water mitigation and restoration, and duct cleaning.
When storm damage threatens to take over your life and home, call Green Genie Environmental immediately. Whether you are an individual whose home was damaged or a business owner whose property took an enormous hit, we are here for you. Call us at 716-466-6653.