3 Unexpected Storm Damage Risks

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

Collapsed ceiling in a Ballwin, MO building

The average homeowner has a narrow idea of what storm damage involves. Downed tree limbs or cracked windows are some of the main concerns. But storm damage can be surprisingly varied, and include things like burst pipes and even standing water. Learn more about some of the more surprising types of storm damage - is your Ballwin, MO, home ready?

What Causes Storm Damage?

There are many different storm types, and unsurprisingly, many different types of storm damage. Regardless of the elements of the storm, there are a few features that are almost guaranteed. Those elements include the following:

• Heavy preciptation
  
• High winds
  
• Temperature shifts
  
  

These and other elements can cause some surprising types of damage.

Plumbing Damage

Plumbing storm damage can be unexpected but highly destructive. Heavy rains can push debris into outdoor drains, blocking them from working and setting the stage for household flooding. On the other hand, low temperatures can cause frozen pipes, which eventually become burst pipes. These are just a few ways a storm can wreak havoc on your plumbing.

Electrical Damage

Lightning strikes can cause thousands of dollars in damage to a home. That’s because a strike can disable the computers, security systems and smart devices that are increasingly common in the average home. In the case of a smart home, a lightning strike can cause particularly debilitating and critical problems.

Roof Damage

Few homeowners consider how vulnerable their roof can be in a storm. But impacts from downed limbs or even hail can create dents and holes in your roof. Meanwhile, wind gusts can blow off shingles or even lift weaker parts of your roof in extreme cases. Each of these can let water in and create a chain reaction of problems.
Storm damage comes in many flavors. Being prepared for all of it - from burst pipes to lightning strikes - is key to keeping your home secure. Work with a local storm cleanup expert to identify your home’s specific storm risks and take action.