Utah homeowners, especially those living in the northern parts, are no strangers to hail and windstorms. From Salt Lake City to Spanish Fork, sudden weather shifts can leave your siding cracked, shingles missing, or gutters bent.
It doesn’t take long before small storm damage turns into bigger repair bills. If the damage is extensive, you might have to go for a complete exterior home remodel. But what do you do immediately after a hail or wind?
In this post, we’re going to explain just that.
Step 1: Inspect Your Home Safely
Safety must always come first, especially after a damaging hail or windstorm. Once the storm passes, and it’s safer to step out, check your property.
Walk around your home and look for:
- Damaged siding or missing panels.
- Loose or torn shingles on the roof.
- Cracked windows or broken screens.
- Dents in gutters or downspouts.
- Fallen branches near the house.
Additionally, watch out for downed power lines, gas smells, and broken glass. If you see a serious hazard, call 911 immediately. Be safe while inspecting the house. For instance, avoid walking on the roof because hail can make shingles slick and wind can shift loose materials.
Step 2: Document the Damage
Document everything, even the smallest cracks in your siding or attic. If the damage wasn’t there before the storm, it must go into your record. Even small cracks can grow into bigger problems and increase your home exterior repair costs.
Once again, do this safely:
- Take clear photos and videos of damage outside and inside, including roof, gutters, siding, windows, skylights, attic, ceilings, and floors.
- Snap close-ups and wide shots. Include date and time.
- Save broken shingles or hailstones in a bag for the adjuster if it’s safe to do so.
These photos will help when you file an insurance claim for storm damage. Also, keep receipts for any temporary fixes you buy, like tarps or plywood.
Step 3: Prevent More Damage
It would be a while before your exterior home repair services provider can reach out, inspect your property, and start the repairs. Try to prevent more damage before experts can step in. If rain is still falling, place buckets under active drips and move valuables away from wet areas.
If shingles are missing, cover the roof with a tarp to avoid leaks. Seal the broken windows with plastic or boards to prevent more damage. Additionally, clearing out clogged gutters and downspouts can help prevent water buildup.
These quick steps will prevent more damage, but they won’t replace calling in exterior home repair pros. Schedule a professional storm damage inspection as soon as possible, which brings us to our next point.
Step 4: Schedule A Professional Inspection
Even if damage looks minor, have a professional check your roof, siding, and gutters. Schedule a full roof and exterior check within 24 to 72 hours because some damage isn’t visible from the ground.
An exterior home repair expert will look for bruised shingles, granule loss, cracked tiles, dented vents, loose flashing, damaged ridge caps, and hidden leaks in the attic. You can ask them to check gutters, soffit, fascia, siding, windows, doors, and seals. Wind can lift shingles and drive rain under the roof surface.
Most professionals will provide a written report with photos, which can help you file your claim and create an exterior home repair plan.
Step 5: Call Your Insurance Company
The sooner you report the damage to your insurance company, the better. When you call, share the photos and notes you gathered, and ask if they’ll be sending an adjuster to inspect your property.
When you talk to your insurance company:
- Keep a log of every call, including the date and name of the person you spoke with.
- Ask about your deductible and what interior and exterior home repairs are covered.
- Don’t throw away damaged materials until the adjuster sees them.
- Request written confirmation of your claim and coverage.
If possible, you can have your exterior home remodeling contractor meet the adjuster on-site. They can help point out damage you might miss and make sure nothing is overlooked in your claim. This alone can save you thousands in out-of-pocket costs.
Step 6: Beware of Door-to-Door Calls
Scammers can cash in on any opportunity they can get, and your storm-damaged Utah home provides them with one. You might see people knocking on your door with unbelievably cheap exterior home cleaning, repair, and painting jobs.
If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. So, before signing up, ask for a license, proof of insurance, a local address, and recent local references. A professional like BH Exterior and Design will never shy away from sharing those details.
When you do hire a contractor:
- Do not pay in full up front.
- Get a clear scope with materials, brand names, colors, and a timeline.
- Ask about warranties and who handles punch list items.
Remember, a solid contractor will answer every question without pressure, but more importantly, they’ll:
- Explain the scope of work clearly.
- Provide a fair estimate.
- Offer warranty on repairs.
- Help with insurance paperwork.
Step 7: Decide If You Want to Replace or Repair
Deciding whether to replace or repair is at the heart of your exterior home remodeling project. Many small issues, like a few shingles missing here and there or one damaged vent, typically need a localized fix, and your contractor will recommend so.
However, widespread granule loss, cracks, soft spots on decking, or leaks in multiple rooms might require a full-scale exterior home remodel. If you do decide to replace a part, change it with a more robust solution. For instance, if you want to replace your roof, go with Class 4 shingles, which can handle Utah hail and windstorms better.
Common Storm Repairs You May Need
Storm damage can be extensive, which means you could be looking at major repairs. In most cases, you may need:
- Roof Repairs: High winds can lift shingles, and hail can break them. Missing shingles expose your home to leaks. So, you may need to replace your old roof or at least the damaged shingles as early as possible.
- Siding Replacement: While vinyl siding can crack from hail, fiber cement and stucco may chip away. Fixing siding quickly keeps water from seeping inside and helps maintain your curb appeal. Depending on the damage and the material, you can go for repairs like stucco resurfacing or fixing only parts of the siding.
- Gutter Fixes: Hail dents or wind damage can cause sagging gutters. If gutters don’t work properly, water will pool near your foundation, and that leads to bigger repair bills.
- Exterior Home Painting: Storms often peel or chip paint. But an exterior home painting job can restore your curb appeal and add an extra layer of protection against Utah’s weather.Window and Door Repairs: Cracked glass and loose frames affect insulation. Replacing them improves your safety, comfort, and energy efficiency.
Need Exterior Home Repairs after A Storm? Let’s Talk!
Dealing with hail or wind damage can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Start with a safe inspection, document the damage, and get professional help. Whether you need exterior home cleaning, repair, or full remodeling after storm damage, taking quick action will save you money and protect your home’s value.
At BH Exterior & Design, we provide exterior home repair services across Northern Utah. From Salt Lake City to Santaquin, we help homeowners restore and upgrade their homes after storms. If your home has been hit, contact us to get it back in shape.