Dealing with Winter Storm Damage

3/4/2019 (Permalink)

Is winter wreaking havoc on your home?

Know the Risk of Winter Weather

Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted an early spring, yet with the forecast outlook for the Sioux Falls area it seems winter weather will continue to linger for a while longer.

Winter storms, blizzards and threats of more snow continues to plague Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities. Many homeowners may be facing the inevitable side effects of these storms.

Snow by itself doesn’t seem all that heavy, yet when large amounts accumulate on rooftops, it can be problematic. The heavy load can cause roofs to collapse inwards, falling trees and limbs, and other ice related troubles.

The snow and ice can cause a backup in the gutters and produce an ice dam. Ice dams are when snow melts and then refreezes, which can also cause potential water damage in the home.

The frigid temperatures and South Dakota winds can also cause frozen pipes. Once these pipes thaw can cause major flooding. These types of breaks typically cause major damage to the home and personal belongings.

Other than flooding, water damage may not be as easy to detect because it can sometimes take several days or even weeks to notice, and it doesn’t always appear in ways you’d think it would. Discoloration, cracks, drywall tape loosening and water spots can take days to show up on ceilings.  

Despite all of its icy coldness, winter can also bring increased risk of fire. During these cold spell we tend to utilize other heating sources to maintain our homes. These space heaters increase the risk potential of fire.

How to Respond to Winter Storm Damage

• Contact your insurance company- Let them know about the damages to your home. Review your coverages, policy limits on the policy and your deductible.

• Take photos of the damages

• If water is intruding in your home, take immediate action and call SERVPRO, we are here to help.

Regardless of the damages to your home, the most important steps is keeping yourself and family safe. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting for homeowners to deal with storm damages. Take time to care for yourself while your home is being mitigated and repaired. Ask questions often to fully understand the process. This includes questions to the claims adjuster, restoration contractor, and other parties involved in the claim. Take notes to help process all the information you are receiving. Save all your receipts of out of pocket expenses to discuss with your claims adjuster.

We are here to help, "Like it never even happened."