You’ve followed all the steps to protect yourself and your family before the hurricane hit. Now it’s over, you’ve survived the storm. Your family is safe. Now you must deal with the aftermath; repairing your home. Hurricanes cause approximately $10 billion in damages in the United States every year. It’s important to know how to repair your home after a hurricane has ravaged it.

Safety first

Dealing with repairs is a long process. First you must think of your family’s safety and your own. Here are some tips:

• To begin with, you should let your extended family know you’re safe.
• Make sure you return home only when it’s been deemed safe to return to the area.
• Continue listening to NOAA Weather Radio or your local news for latest updates. There could be extended rainfall even after the initial hurricane.
• Don’t drive through high or running waters
• Stay away from structures that are surrounded by water.
• Avoid downed power lines and report them to your power company
• Report gas leaks/odors to your local authorities
• Do not try to relight natural gas consuming appliances
• Do not attempt to repair electrical appliances that are in standing water
• Check with your local health department or utility company to see if the water is safe to drink.

Starting the recovery process

Okay, you’ve done the most important things. You’ve put safety first, now it’s time to begin the cleanup and repairs. Word of caution; be on your guard for scams. Natural disasters bring out many con artists just waiting for a victim. Don’t sign any document without careful reading or that commits you to hand over your insurance money. Now, you have to get a hold of your insurance agent and start documenting the damage with photos or video.

Prioritize property stabilization and repairs

Now that you’ve checked your home you need to prioritize repairs. Do what you can on your own:

• Cover any broken windows securely keeping out water and burglars (especially if you’re planning not to stay at home.
• If you’re roof has a hole or leaks, hire a roofing company to cover the area with a tarp for the meantime.
• Clear drain gutters and downspouts of debris to prevent further water accumulation around the foundation.
• Start making arrangements for a water damage cleanup on the inside of the property.

Contact a professional storm damage repair company

You’ve done what you could do on your own. Now it’s time to get help. Soil-Away Cleaning and Restoration are the experts for the job. With over 25 years of service they have the equipment and the expertise to help restore your home to its former beauty. They will access the water damage; extract the water; completely dry out your home; as well as remove any mold damage and rebuild the affected areas. They can do all this while helping coordinate the insurance claim with your insurance company. Call them 24/7 at 603-641-6555.
Written by E. Aceves