There’s nothing like the raw power of nature that comes with a winter storm. When those dark clouds roll in with heavy snows, sleet, and strong winds, it can be awe-inspiring, beautiful, and also terrible for your home. Whether you live in an older home or something modern and new, winter storms can cause equal damage to your home.

Once the snow settles and the clouds clear, you’ll need to assess the damage to make sure your property is intact to repair any damage before it becomes a serious problem. But knowing where to begin can be tricky, which is why our expert home improvement contractors at Anderson Exteriors in Minnesota are here to help. Follow these three steps to make checking your home after a winter storm simple.

1.   Check around your property for immediate dangers before getting started.

Before you do anything else, make sure there are no immediate dangers to the occupants of your home. If you have any broken pipes due to freezing temperatures, you’ll need to shut off the water. You’ll need to clear your walkways so no one is injured and any necessary help can easily reach your home.

Take a moment to look for damaged power lines due to the strong winds, trees, or ice, and make any needed calls to the power company. You’ll also want to note any broken glass from damaged windows that need replacement.

2.   Inspect your property thoroughly.

Although there’s no substitute for a professional inspection, you need to get pictures of the damage for your insurance company as soon as possible after the storm passes. Once you’ve ascertained that your property is safe enough to walk around without risk of injury, grab your phone and start documenting the damage. Take a few clear images of everything and make note of anything you want to point out to your insurance company. We’ll add a checklist for inspecting your property below.

3.   Contact a storm damage contractor for a more thorough inspection.

After you’ve secured your property from immediate damage, you’ll need to call in professionals to check around your home and see what needs to be fixed. It’s a good idea to do this as soon as possible after a blizzard or winter storm for insurance purposes.

Our Anderson Exteriors team can take a look at your windows, siding, doors, and gutters to assess any damage. We’ll make recommendations on the best possible repairs to get your home back on track fast.

4.   Work with your insurance company to complete repairs.

Finally, you’ll need to work with your insurance company to get your repairs completed. We can help you provide everything you need for your insurance company to make the process go as smoothly as possible. We’ll complete your repairs in a timely manner and leave your home safer and cleaner than before we arrived.

Post-Storm Property Inspection Checklist

Winter storms can bring more than just snow. They can also bring heavy rains, strong winds, hail, flooding, ice, sleet, and more, all of which can wreak havoc on your home. You want to catch every bit of damage as soon as possible, so be sure to look over your house carefully.

Here’s a handy checklist to use while checking your home:

●        Windows

There are two main types of window damage. There’s the kind of obvious window damage that’s visible right away like broken glass, and then there’s the less obvious window damage like hail dents, cracked frames, loose panes, broken seals, and minor cracks in the glass. Check around each window thoroughly so you don’t end up with water leaking into your home the next time it rains.

●        Roof

You can safely inspect your roof from the ground and then have a professional conduct a more complete inspection as soon as possible. First, look for large debris like tree branches or errant trampolines. Anything heavy that ends up on your roof can cause significant damage to the roofing material and even the underlayment. Next, look around the ground for missing shingles. Even if you don’t see any, you should still take a look at your roof for spots with missing shingles or granules.

●        Siding

If the most recent winter storm brought high winds or significant hail, check your siding for signs of impact damage. Look for dents, holes, and cracks in the siding. Next, look for damage affecting your soffits and fascia.

●        Gutters

Your rain gutters can be especially vulnerable during a strong storm. Take a walk around the perimeter of your home looking for gutters that have pulled away from your roof. Notice any cracked or broken joints while you’re inspecting the property.

Ramsey MN Home Improvement Contractors Offer Hope After a Blizzard or Storm

At Anderson Exteriors in Minnesota, we offer a wide range of services for homeowners. Whether you need your siding repaired after a winter storm or you’re looking to replace your windows, we can help. When a storm hits, don’t wait to call us. Connect with a member of our team at 763.323.0970, or contact us to learn how we can help protect your home from future storms.