Where to Look After the Storm

3/30/2021 (Permalink)

water damage from rain

Make Sure You Are Checking All The Areas of Concern Following a Storm!

Severe weather can lead to significant property damage, and unless your facility has an excellent exterior maintenance schedule, you may wind up with many unexpected expenses. People often have a false sense of security about their buildings, which can result in the absence of concern after a storm. As any storm restoration and remediation company in Washington County, TN, may explain, inspections after any storm are vital to the protection of your building and budget. If you are not familiar with inspecting your facility after a storm, then try and focus on the four following areas.

1. Walls
   A significant aspect of keeping a building maintained is ensuring its structural integrity. While you may not see any apparent storm damage while walking your property, look closely at the walls, especially toward the foundation and roofline. If you notice any cracking, splits, or separation, then you may have a foundation problem. Sometimes rainwater settles near the footing of a building, causing soil displacement, which shifts the foundation of the building, resulting in damaged property.
2. Windows
   When performing exterior maintenance and inspections, be sure to examine the windows around the property. Windows often have a shorter lifespan than the rest of the materials used in your property. While the pane may be intact, the frame or the sealant used for installation can fail over time, leading to water damage in the property.
3. Cladding or Siding
   While cladding is useful for the protection of the exterior of your facility, it can damage easily. High winds can peel the material away from the building. Hailstones can puncture the material. Look for displaced seems and holes as you walk the property.
4. Roof
   A thorough building inspection should include the roof. Many commercial roofs are flat and prone to water damage. Look for damaged sheeting and failing seals as you would with windows.
   Especially during this time of year, when severe weather is typical, it is crucial to focus on exterior maintenance. If you need more suggestions for inspection points, then contact a local professional.

Call SERVPRO of Washington County at 423-434-0046 if you find yourself with any kind of storm damage!  We are here to help 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year!