5 Places to Inspect in Your Home After Bad Weather

252 Elmira Avenue, Listed By Cody Stringer

You may be used to bad weather by hailing from New Orleans, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do a complete home inspection every time the latest hurricane blows through. After the next major storm, make sure you check these five places before settling back into your routine.

1. The Ground Floor

If your property wasn’t in the main path of the storm, you hopefully didn’t experience the full effects of hurricane flooding. However, due to heavy rainfall, your foundation could have become oversaturated, allowing water to seep inside your ground floor. The effects of flooding will be apparent, creating standing water, or it’ll be subtle, resulting in damp carpets. Both can foster the perfect conditions for mold. Standing water of any sort can damage the structure of your home. 

To fight back against mold growth and structural damage, return to work on your home within 24 to 48 hours of the storm ending. You’ll want to air out your house by opening all windows and doors and running fans to dry out waterlogged sites. If you have rugs, carpets, mattresses or other water-soaked possessions that can’t dry quickly, you’re best off throwing them out. Clean all wet materials with hot water and dish detergent and dry thoroughly. 

If you notice any areas where mold is starting to grow, ensure you put on protective gear like a mask, goggles and rubber gloves before cleaning the room. You can make a mold cleaning solution with a cup of bleach and a gallon of water. 

2. The Roof

Because your roof is exposed to the elements, it’s likely to experience damage during a bad storm. Grab a pair of binoculars and take a close look. 

Look at Your Shingles

Are you missing any shingles? Do you notice any that are cracked or damaged? Shingles are designed to lay flat, and it’s a bad sign if yours are curling or cracked. Check for patterns of damaged shingles. If there are only a few ruined sections, you could get by with a repair rather than an entire replacement. 

Check for Sagging

Does it appear your roof is sagging in sections? This is a clear sign your roof needs to be replaced. Rotting boards and drooping areas show signs of trapped moisture causing structural damage. Contact a trusted roofing company for consultation on proceeding before further damage occurs.

Inspect for Mold, Moss and Fungi

Check for any mold, moss or fungi growing on your shingles, as it can indicate moisture is trapped inside your roof, ultimately leading to damage. You can gently wash off the mold with a bleach solution or upgrade to algae-resistant shingles.

Examine Your Attic 

The last place to check for roof damage is in your attic. Climb up under the eaves and use a flashlight to check for stains or streaks that prove you have a leaky roof. You can patch smaller leaks, but severe water damage in your attic means you need to replace your roof. 

3. Doors and Windows

Doors and windows can be particularly vulnerable to high winds and flying debris. There are three types of damage your home can experience:

Wind: Trees can uproot during windstorms, shattering windows and damaging patio doors. Look for broken glass and clear all broken panes before allowing children outside.

Water: High winds can drive water to your windows, pushing water between the seal. Double pane windows may gather condensation, and you may also notice water damage beneath your doors, warping your floorboards. 

Hail: Impact damage caused by hailstorms can be more subtle. Ensure you carefully check your windows and doors for cracked glazing or dented trim.

Examine all doors and windows from both sides and check for holes, cracks or frame damage. Look at your shutters, awnings, exterior trim or cladding, the protective covering outside a window frame.

4. Home Exterior

Even the sturdiest brick facade can be damaged in a storm. Look for cracks, chips, dings, and dents when examining your home exterior. It’s wise to check your property at different times of the day, as additional lighting might highlight other deterioration.

You’ll also want to have a look at your gutters and downspouts. Gutters can swing loose in high winds and crash into windows or parked cars. Climb up a ladder and gently shake to confirm yours are secure. Contact a roofing company for repairs if you believe you have a loose drain and can’t reach it with a ladder.  

If you own a fence, you’ll want to ensure you give it a thorough post-storm inspection. Push against it to test for weakened areas. Additionally, check to see if any features were damaged and fix them promptly.  

Check your property for any downed power lines, sagging poles or wires close to trees. One area you might not think to examine is your home’s electrical service meter box. One that appears to be learning or sagging from its connection indicates trouble. Contact an electrician immediately and steer clear of these areas if these threats are present. 

5. Plumbing

You should check each toilet and faucet in your house to ensure all are working correctly after your water is restored. Pipes can be shaken and cracked during heavy storms. Look for leaks at the base of toilets and beneath sinks. 

Temporarily disconnect power to water softeners and heaters. Ensure there’s no standing water around the devices and clean up any liquid. Hand check the tightness of the connection to your appliances and restore power. Water heaters that have been submerged must be replaced because they pose a fire risk.

Another issue you might face after a hurricane or flood is the toilets not draining as quickly as they once did. Sewer lines are located underground, so flooding and storm surges can cause them to scramble and create problems. If you suspect this has happened, contact a professional to inspect your line. 

Inspect These Areas and Improve Your Home’s Safety  

There’s no doubt you’ll want to return to everyday life after a storm passes, but to ensure your home doesn’t need extensive repairs, inspect these five areas first. You’ll guarantee the safety of your property and your family, too.

Written By Rose Morrison, renovated.com