What To Do After a Kansas Storm
Thunderstorms and lightning! Hail and tornadoes. Powerful wind gusts and pouring rain. If you’re a Kansas native, these weather events sound all too familiar. Each year, the Kansas skies are set ablaze with seasonal storms we’ve come to expect. While many people find these weather extremes thrilling, they can wreak havoc on your home. Read on to find out how to address the damage quickly while minimizing stress.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, Kansas experienced 341 Major Hail Events in 2020, ranking the Sunflower State number three in the country for damaging weather. With those kinds of statistics, it’s likely that every homeowner in Kansas will face storm damage at some point. Therefore, it’s important to know what to do when disaster strikes so you are prepared and ready to attend to the troubles at hand.
Storm Damage Assessment Guide
Once the storm passes, and it’s safe to go outside, the first thing to do is perform a preliminary check for damage on your property. You’ll want to take photos for insurance, so be sure to have your camera or smartphone handy. If the storm produced hail, take pictures of any that remains on the ground.
When it comes time to check your roof, the last thing you should do is climb up on a potentially compromised roof yourself. Instead, look for signs of damage from the safety of the ground or ladder. First, check the gutters. Do you see dents in the gutters or downspouts? Are there granules from your shingles in the gutters? These are both signs you may have damage to your roof. Additionally, dents in your deck can signal damage to the shingles on your roof. Remember, hail doesn’t just damage the top of your home. Check your siding thoroughly for any dents, cracks, or puncture holes.
If you find visible damage, the next step is obvious: call All States Home Improvement for a free estimate and professional assessment! However, just because you don’t see damage doesn’t mean there isn’t any. There are all types of damage that are only detectable by an up-close, trained eye. If you take a look around your neighborhood and find inspectors on your neighbors’ roofs, that’s a pretty good indicator that you should give us a call to check out your home as well.
Storm Damage and Home Insurance
Now comes time to work with your insurance company and file your claim. All States has years of experience working with homeowners and insurance companies, so we can help you manage the process every step of the way. We’ve even compiled a list of some of the most frequently asked questions regarding insurance claims for hail and storm damage.
When it comes to repairs and replacements for your home, the first thing you’re probably thinking is: How much will this cost? And next: Will my insurance cover it? The answers to those questions aren’t as cut and dry as we wish they were. The fact is, it will depend on several factors: what coverage you purchased in your policy, what caused the damage, and how your property was damaged, to name a few. If you’re wondering if your policy will cover the damage, contact your agent and ask questions – that’s what they’re trained to do!
Do’s and Don’ts of Roof Repair After a Storm
Still a bit overwhelmed about what to do after a storm hits? Here’s a quick guide with helpful do’s and don’ts to make it a painless process!
Do be proactive to avoid costly repairs down the line. Ignoring roof damage could lead to significant leaks, leading to many additional issues like mold and structural problems in the future. Damage can range from individual shingle replacements to full roof makeovers, so don’t automatically expect storm damage to be insanely expensive.
Don’t assume that your home didn’t accrue any damage simply because the hail was small. This point is even more critical if your home’s roof is older or poorly maintained, as these roofs are at more risk for damage. And remember, sometimes high-speed winds can cause more harm than hail storms.
Do call All States Home Improvement for a free assessment. Our trained experts will thoroughly inspect your home and provide a detailed report of any damage. This leads to the next point…
Don’t inspect your roof yourself. Walking around on a potentially damaged roof is simply dangerous. Please leave it to the professionals!
Do check other parts of your home for damage. Siding is also a prime area for damage during a springtime storm.
Don’t fall victim to storm chasers that skip town after work–or sometimes even before the work is completed! Choose a local, reputable company with reliable reviews.
Do document all damage and save all receipts. Take photos of the size of hail and any places you find damage on your property. Additionally, if you end up needing to perform any temporary fixes on your own, be sure to save the receipts for any supplies you purchase to submit to your insurance company.
Trust All States Home Improvement After a Kansas Storm
We are a local company with a fast response time and more than 30 years of experience in roof replacement from storm damage in Kansas. Give us a call after a storm, and we’ll do a full assessment and give you a complete written report of our findings.
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All States Home Improvement Storm Center FAQs
