Minnesota residents must prepare to watch for signs of hail and wind damage throughout spring and into summer. A hail storm can leave devastating impacts on a Minnesota home, making it vulnerable to water damage and deterioration.
When you recognize hail damage, you should schedule a professional repair service to maximize your home’s durability and protection. Finding a reputable contractor is critical because storm chasers are no doubt knocking on doors in your neighborhood, trying to convince homeowners to opt into their services.
So, before you get the chance to call for help, there are several steps you can take to start recovering from the storm’s impact.
If you want to keep your home protected at all times, especially after severe weather, take these steps to regularly inspect your home for signs of hail and wind damage.
Hail Damage Inspection Tips for All Your Exteriors
You should always take safety precautions while assessing damage after a recent storm.
Identifying damage is pretty straightforward, and it’s recommended to start from the ground up. Start with your siding, move up to the gutters, and then do a visual inspection of the roof. While DIY can work for spotting large damage, a pro has the right training to identify smaller issues and make sure your roof is in the best condition possible.
After analyzing the damage, it’s time to report your findings to your insurance company and make it your number one priority to find a knowledgeable and experienced local roofing and exterior repair contractor.
Signs of Hail Damage
Take a look around your home. If it has suffered severe hail damage, you’ll notice holes, dents, and cracks in the siding.
Less severe signs of damage will require a closer look. Get close to your home’s siding and look for smaller cracks, chipped siding material, warping, or mold growth. Because mold and mildew are dangerous to your family’s health, you should replace the damaged siding as soon as possible.
Signs of Wind Damage
Similar to hail, wind damage will often show on your siding in the form of cracks, splits, and dents. You may also notice smaller holes and slightly chipping paint.
If your gutters appear damaged or break off from the house, that may be another indication of wind damage. If you notice these signs, schedule a professional siding or gutter repair service immediately.
How to Recover After Hail Damage to Windows
Walk around your home and note any broken windows and loose glass. Make sure you wear thick boots while inspecting your windows, as loose glass could injure you.
If you notice broken windows, cover the area with plywood to prevent any injury or water damage while waiting for the contractors to arrive at your home. Even if the hail has passed, subsequent rainfall can cause water damage.
Remember: Wear thick boots and gloves because broken windows can be incredibly dangerous.
How to Recover After Hail Damage to Roofing
Hail can cause a lot of damage to your home’s roof. Because your roof plays an important role in protecting your home, you should take the time to assess any potentially broken areas after a storm hits.
It’s not always easy to tell when damage has occurred, so even after the visual inspection has been completed, in the first 36 hours, we always recommend calling a local certified contractor so you know that you’re getting an accurate assessment and to make sure you have the right information to keep the insurance adjusters happy.
Commercial roofing damage is very similar to residential, so highlight checking for deterioration of adhesives and do your best to spot any punctures or cracks in the material.
Hail damage is also notorious for causing moisture damage if it gets inside your building, which can lead to much larger issues like mold and mildew and even issues with your building’s structural integrity.
Don’t Forget the Metal Components
Aside from the gutters and downspouts, visually inspect the other metal components along your roof. This includes the flashing, venting, metal fans, and gutters. Typically, hail damage is easiest to see on thin metal surfaces.
Air conditioners are other great places to check. The horizontal fan blades can easily show any damage or denting that may have been caused by hail.
If you notice other metal components along the roof have hail damage, it might be time to have a professional examine your roof.
How to Recover After Hail Damage to Siding
Another part of your home that can suffer damage from a hail storm is its siding. Extreme hail can cause your siding to crack, split, and break away, putting your home at risk of water damage.
While you’re waiting for the contractor to arrive, take a moment to walk around your home and see if you can spot any areas of hail damage on your siding. Check out your eaves, fascia, and even your windows for the most subtle damage.
If you find any warped or bent materials or splits, try to keep them covered to prevent water from seeping inside your home.
How to Recover After Hail Damage to Doors
Doors with glass, such as entry doors with windows or patio doors, are susceptible to hail damage. Examine your doors for broken glass and torn porch door screens and inform your contractor of the damage when they call or arrive.
How to Recover After Hail Damage to Landscaping
The shrubs, trees, and flowers around your house can suffer damage after a severe hail storm. If you’re growing vegetables and other plants around your home, you should inspect them to make sure they’re able to recover.
While hail damage can seem overwhelming and disheartening, there are steps you can take to improve your situation. Get a jump start on locating your home’s hail damage by inspecting these areas.
How to Recover After Hail Damage to Vehicles
During the claims progress, you’ll need to document any automotive damages. Assuming you don’t have a carport, you should examine each vehicle’s windshield, windows, and paint as part of the disaster restoration process.
Sometimes, home insurance policies coincide with car insurance policies. Your home’s comprehensive coverage plan might compensate you for automotive damages.
Your Trusted Storm Repair Contractors in Maple Grove, MN
Ultimately, noticing every sign of hail and wind damage isn’t always easy for the nonexpert.
The experienced team at Intelligent Design Corporation is ready to help you avoid foundation issues with fast and reliable siding repair services. We’ll thoroughly inspect your home to pinpoint even the smallest forms of weather damage.
Our team will provide a thorough and complete report of our findings so you can feel confident knowing which services your home requires. We’re committed to always supplying honest, transparent communication to maximize your trust and satisfaction.
Our team knows what it takes to keep your home in tip-top condition. From roof repair to window replacement, you can count on us to provide the contracting solutions you want. To get started on your repair service, contact Intelligent Design Corporation at 763-315-0745.
We provide free estimates so you know exactly where your home is damaged and what services you require.
