Severe weather strikes just about everywhere. While you might escape unscathed, your home or office building might not be so lucky. From a dented or damaged roof to hidden structural damage, there are a number of problems that can arise when your property is hit from a strong storm. If you see that the area around your house has been hard hit, it’s safe to assume your property might be damaged too. Here are some common situations you might find if your structure suffers storm damage.

Structural Damage to the Roof

Since it is the intermediary between the sky and the underlying structure, your roof is often one of the hardest hit parts of your home or office following a storm. Roofs can suffer tremendous storm damage from hurricanes, which can even tear them apart. Hail, wind, and driving rains can cause storm damage in the form of roof leaks. Water stains on the ceiling, damage to the siding, and dents are all signs that your roof needs restoration.

Water and Mold Damage

Along with roof damage, water and flooding are two of the most common problems associated with storm damage. Flooding can occur with storms throughout the year, and it is an especially big problem in flat areas. Flooding damage is so widespread that insurance companies reportedly spend over $1 billion each year on homes and offices in need of restoration after being hit. If your home or building suffers from water damage, you might need extensive repairs like gutting of the structural components, new siding, a new roof, and new wallpaper. Water can also damage the garage and necessitate repairs.

Sometimes, water remains in your home or office long after and exacerbates whatever storm damage appeared initially. Water that sits in your house or basement over time creates a number of problems. Mold and mildew may start to grow, and the wallpaper or paint may start to crack, chip, and peel. Although damage might not be immediately apparent or appear less serious, it’s important to know that flooding and standing water can cause damage to the supporting beams and foundations of your structure. It can also damage the drywall and cause hazardous contamination.

Fire Damage

On the opposite end of the spectrum, property can also suffer from fires during storm damage. Fires can be either naturally occurring or result from another problem, such as a fire that started at a nearby plant or building. Lightning from thunderstorms can also strike your property and cause damage to the structure. Storm damage from fires often necessitates extensive restoration, and sometimes a building will need to be demolished altogether or completely renovated.

Damage From Winter Storms

In addition to isolated damage from specific types of weather, such as wind and rain, it’s also important to consider the type of storm that affected your property. Winter storms are problematic for a variety of unique reasons. Winter storms, like hurricanes and other coastal storms, generally produce moisture and wind. The danger of winter storms is that the moisture can freeze and turn to ice, which can double or triple the amount of storm damage from water alone. This commonly happens beneath your roof, which can cause leaks and cracks. If the problem is not spotted and treated right away, mold and mildew can start to grow. This creates more destruction and results in more costly and extensive renovations.

Unless you know what you’re looking for and you’re confident about going up on the roof yourself, it’s always a good idea to hire a professional to come in and take a look at your roof. A professional has the requisite safety equipment and training to go up on a roof. He or she also knows what signs of storm damage to look for, which can make renovation estimates much more accurate.

Wind Damage

Coastal storms, thunderstorms, and tornadoes can all produce highly damaging winds. Generally, the stronger the winds are, the more likely it is that your property will suffer serious damage. Severe winds, which are categorized as winds over 50 MPH, can cause serious damage to property. Along with damaging the roof and walls, winds can throw debris into your house and necessitate even more restoration.

Storm damage is a serious issue, and it can happen any time of year. If your property has been affected by a storm, you may need extensive restoration to fix the problem. But unless you’re a professional yourself, it’s a good idea to hire a professional to make an inspection for safety, insurance, and legal reasons.