Emergency Storm Clean-Up in Germantown, TN
In the Midwest, severe storms are simply a way of life. Natural disasters can occur at any time in West Tennessee, as the western half's flatter terrain makes it more susceptible to tornadoes. Even if a tornado doesn't form, Memphis' proximity to the Mississippi River can make homes very susceptible to flood waters and water damage. Strong summer storms are also possible, as wind and lightning can cause serious damage to your structures.
If a storm has impacted your home, it's important to know what you're looking for so that you can get the problem addressed properly the first time. It's also a good idea to take a proactive approach before storms arrive so you can protect your property as best as possible. Here are a few things to keep in mind.
What Kind of Damage Should You Look for After a Storm or Weather Event?
You should first look for any dangerous areas around your home. These include downed power lines, broken glass, frayed or damaged wiring and potential gas leaks. If you come across any of these things, you need to avoid this area and call in a professional for assistance.
Once you've determined that it's safe to be in and around your home, the first thing you need to look at is your roof. Whether it's a residential or commercial property, your roof is your first line of defense against tornadoes, wind and more. In some cases, you might see obvious, major damage to your roof that needs to be fixed right away. If you see something like that, don't waste any time before calling in a natural disaster cleanup expert.
Failing large, obvious evidence, you'll want to look for damage to your roof's shingles. Cracked, broken or curled shingles might not seem like major damage, but they're a sign that your roof's structural integrity has been compromised. If another storm comes after the first one, which is always a possibility in Shelby County, your roof won't be able to stand up to the second storm's power if it's damaged in certain spots. If you have any damaged or destroyed shingles, you need to call in an expert before the situation becomes an emergency.
Check your gutters for standing water. Your rain gutters are meant to get water flowing through them to keep moisture away from the roof, but when they get blocked, they can actually cause water damage to the roof and home structure. Standing water near your roof can help create the right environment for mold spores to grow, leading to breathing issues and other problems in the house. Additionally, mold can weaken the structure of the roof, causing further damage.
How You Can Prevent Weather Damage
One of the easiest ways to prevent weather damage to your building before a storm is to ensure all maintenance and repairs are handled. If you're managing a commercial property, you can usually schedule standard maintenance well before the storm seasons, ensuring everything is done before the weather turns against you.
The biggest thing to take care of is anything that could become easily damaged in a storm. For example, if you have older windows that aren't very strong, now could be the time to consider new windows to add a layer of protection to the commercial property. Businesses that take a proactive approach to potential problems always have a leg up on the competition, and the same is true of potential storms and disasters. Before a storm arrives, time is on your side, so take advantage of that time, analyze any potential costs and make sure to get repairs scheduled and completed before weather becomes intense.
You'll also want to ensure you've cleaned out the rain gutters before inclement weather. During the fall, it's especially important to take care of the gutters, as leaves can block drains and create ideal conditions for standing water. Strong storms are mostly associated with summer, but they can happen in the fall as well. If you're not prepared, you could need a massive cleanup.
If a storm did cause damage you couldn't protect, we're just a call away. Contact Curb Appeal Tree Services today at 901-896-8030 for emergency services; we're here to clean up any storm damage and restore the home to pre-storm conditions!
Curb Appeal Tree Service is proud to provide emergency storm services, including removing debris after storms! Call us anytime you want more information on our services. We're local experts at dealing with storm damage. We proudly serve the greater Memphis area and northern Mississippi. Together we can take care of the storm's aftermath so you can get back to normal!