Steps Toward a Healthier Home After a Major Storm
Has your home recently been affected by a major weather event such as a hurricane or tornado? Perhaps you’re anticipating a big storm and want to be sure you’re protecting your household as much as possible. It can be a scary thing to experience an intense weather episode no matter how many times you’ve been through it before. Each storm is different and has the potential to damage your home.
impacts of a major storm
Your house is one of your biggest financial assets, and it’s also a sanctuary for all who inhabit it, so it’s natural to want to make sure it is in the best condition possible. For those living in a climate that has unpredictable storms or a predictable storm season, there’s a lot to think about when it comes to securing your home against damage during a weather episode. Intense storms can seriously take their toll on the structural integrity of a home if proper steps aren’t taken after damage occurs. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with damage to your home after a storm, after all, it can get pretty costly. However, when all is said and done, the most important thing is that your home is still a healthy environment to live in after a storm.
common household damages
So, what type of damage can happen to a home after a storm? Of course, the more intense a storm is, the more potential it has to cause damage to structures in the area. The most common damage you will find to a home will be due to water from precipitation getting into the house along with damage from high winds that often accompany a storm.
High winds most commonly cause damage to the roof including the shingles and gutters, siding, windows, garages/sheds. Powerful wind can uproot trees, bring down power lines, and even turn a seemingly lightweight object into an airborne danger. When the high-velocity wind picks up an item in the middle a storm, there’s no predicting what route it will take or what damage it will cause! Water damage can quickly turn into a mold remediation issue if you do not take steps to get rid of the water in the home as soon as possible. Mold resulting from water damage can seriously affect the health of those who live in the household!
steps toward a healthier home
Here are some quick steps you can take to protect your home after a major storm like a hurricane:
- Create airflow through the house and ventilate the area by opening doors and windows
- Dry any wet items that you find as soon as possible, and throw away anything that was damaged too badly for use in the future
- Ensure any mold remediation is done by a licensed professional in the field
- Deep clean the entire home to make sure there isn’t any moisture lurking around
- Take precautions to prevent future water intrusion with home repairs both indoors and outdoors
- Create a structured plan for cleaning, drying, and remediation so you aren’t scrambling if it happens again
