Tips for Protecting Your Home During Storms | SERVPRO of Renton

9/22/2024 (Permalink)

When storms strike suddenly, don't wait! Call SERVPRO of Renton anytime for swift and reliable assistance.

We all tend to hunker down when storms roll through the area—and rightfully so! They can bring intense rain, strong wind and the occasional hail storm that causes serious damage to your property. 

While you can’t control the severity of the storm, you can take steps ahead of time to reduce your risk of severe damage due to the elements. 

Prioritize these simple tasks as soon as a storm is forecast so your home stays as dry and as damage-free as possible.

Consider the Flood Possibility 

Experiencing home flooding is perhaps one of the most helpless feelings. There isn’t much you can do in the moment while storm runoff flows into your home! Check out the FEMA flood map to see if your home is located in a flood plain. If so, consider investing in flood insurance to help you recover faster if you do suffer from a flood at some point. 

You should also take the time to protect your appliances and electrical systems in the lowest levels of your home. If your electrical system gets submerged or a socket or switch gets flooded with water, it can pose an electrocution risk. Turn off power to the lowest level of your home and elevate whatever appliances that you have to get them off the ground. Place washers, refrigerators and chest freezers on concrete blocks to protect them from serious damage. 

Prepare for Wind 

Another potentially dangerous aspect of storms is the possibility of intense wind. Depending on how fast it blows, wind can tear off roofs and siding and uproot trees with ease. Go outside to trim your trees and remove dead branches or yard debris to remove possible projectiles.

You should also take the time to tidy up your yard and remove clutter. Even moderate wind speeds can pick up kid’s toys or yard furniture and toss it into the side of your house. 

Tie down whatever cannot be moved inside, like propane tanks and heavy lawn equipment, and then head inside! Find an interior part of your home to ride out the storm, and avoid walking through any flood water if your home does suffer from any level of flooding. 

After the Storm
Once the storm has passed, use extreme caution when moving around your home and assess your entire property for damage. If you do discover home damage, call SERVPRO of Renton for a faster and more efficient recovery. 

After the repairs are done and you are satisfied with our work, consider investing in some preventive measures to help avoid storm damage in the future. A professional property grading can help encourage water to flow down and away from your home instead of backward into your foundation. Investing in storm shutters can also help you avoid broken windows and serious water damage. 

Storm damage can happen quickly. Call SERVPRO of Renton 24/7 for immediate assistance.