Damages Storms Can Do | SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County Can Help

3/21/2024 (Permalink)

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, make SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County your first call.

Severe weather has a way of ruining the day sometimes. When you own a home, you have the double worry of both your family’s safety and how well your property will do.

Most modern homes can withstand some pretty strong storms; however, sometimes damages just can’t be stopped.

Seasonally, we are faced with thunderstorms, hail and lightning when it is warm, and freezing rains, snow and sleet when it is cold. No matter the kind of storm the season brings, they all create a threat for your home.

The kind of threat will depend on the type of storm moving in, the geographic location of your home and even the landscaping you have on property. The building materials used to construct your home are even a part of your risk factor when it comes to determining the ways you may experience storm damage. And sometimes how you weather a storm simply comes down to luck.

New York weather can present a few different types of risks throughout the year. In the warmer months, we can see strong thunderstorms and even an occasional tornado.

In the winter, we often experience snowstorms and freezes. We need to be prepared for not only these threats but also the possibility of high winds and flooding throughout the year. The more we are able to learn about the kinds of damage we may experience, the safer we can stay.

Wind

Wind becomes a destructive force when it reaches high speeds and pummels buildings with strong gusts. These kinds of winds always come with tornadoes and hurricanes, but even a thunderstorm can pack winds of up to 100 mph.

When wind reaches this kind of strength, it can throw debris around or knock trees over quickly. If a storm moves in with high winds, make sure you shelter in an interior room of your home. Debris can easily pierce walls or break windows when it is thrown about.

You can take the time before a storm rolls in to clean up any loose limbs or rocks in order to minimize the risk of wind damages your home may receive. Be sure to anchor down any furniture and take out any unhealthy trees as well before they can be knocked over.

Water

Water damage is one of the top forms of damage across the United States. A storm, even when it is not severe, can contain heavy rains that create ponding water that can seep through doors or window seals.

If a substantial amount of rain falls and creates saturated soil, the foundation of your home may be at risk as water begins to rise through your floor. This can even create structural damage.

To mitigate your risks of taking on water, consider using any space outside of your home to force water to roll away. Use strategic landscaping to create slopes or consider installing a rain garden. This is a curb-appealing and highly effective way to absorb moisture before it can pool up and create a problem for your home.

You should also keep your gutters cleaned out year-round in order to ensure water moves away from your house. When your gutters are dirty or clogged, water can pool on your roof, which can lead to a leak that affects your home from the top down.

Impact

Another common form of damage that can happen in just about any storm is “impact damage.” Impact damage occurs when one object hits another (or impacts it) as a result of wind or saturated soils. Fallen trees are one of the most common forms of impact damage, and impact damage can be completely destructive.

The best way to protect your home from impact damage is to keep trees trimmed or removed when they are dying or have grown too close to your home.

In 2021, weather caused over $145 billion in damages across the United States. When you take the time to prepare your home and yourself, you can save money and stress knowing that you are riding out the storm as safely as possible.

If your home is damaged during a storm, call SERVPRO of Eastern Rockland County. We are available ²⁴⁄₇ to start your restoration faster. Our professionals are your neighbors, and we want to get you back to life as it should be.

When you suffer storm-related damage to your home or business, it’s important that you know who to call! Contact us today to get your storm damage restoration started faster.