Even if your home wasn’t in the actual path of the tornado, the strong winds and heavy rains could have damaged your property. When the storm has passed and it is safe to go outside, observe your home’s exterior and make note of any areas that show signs of damage.
Walk Around Your Property
Before walking around, look for downed power lines. Call 911 and the utility company if you have loose wires on your property. Rope off the area at 30-feet out to prevent anyone from walking near the lines.
Next, check the exterior of all your buildings. Look for cracks, chips and dings. You may want to check during different times of the day, because different lighting can reveal different problems. Look for fallen branches, broken fences and torn screens.
Check Your Roof
The roof is very vulnerable to damage during storms. These types of problems indicate you need repairs:
- Missing shingles
- Holds in the roof
- Leaks in the ceiling (in the interior of your home)
- Dents to the shingles
- Loose gutters or roofing accessories
Unfortunately, many times roof damage isn’t visible to the naked or untrained eye. Hail can damage the granules of the shingles, which may not be seen from the ground. Call your trusted contractor to assess the tornado damage to your roof. It’s safer to let your roofing professional climb up to check the roof, especially after a storm. The structure might be weakened. Shingle may be slippery. You should take extra caution following a severe storm.
Talk to Professionals
Take pictures of any damage. Try to get different angles to document as much as possible. You should know the details of your insurance coverage to know what’s covered in a storm and what isn’t. It’s a good idea to call your insurance agent when in doubt. You should also seek out a professional contractor to make repairs on your home.