August 3, 2021
Experiencing severe weather situations can be extremely stressful, especially when the integrity of your home is involved. The following are tips for weathering the experience of a severe storm and the damage your home could face.
Experiencing severe weather situations can be extremely stressful, especially when the integrity of your home is involved. The following are tips for weathering the experience of a severe storm and the damage your home could face:
If at any point you would like to seek our advice or services, please, call us directly at 248-462-0224.
2021 Lumber Update: Material Prices are Decreasing
"For the eighth consecutive week, the price that sawmills charge distributors for lumber is down.
Last week, the "cash" market price of lumber fell $90, to $485 per thousand board feet, according to data provided to Fortune by Fastmarkets Random Lengths, an industry trade publication. That's down 68% since its $1,515 all-time high in late May. That's the lowest price point for lumber since June 2020." — Fortune
It's natural to want to protect your personal property. It's very important to remain calm and to think clearly when faced with a damaging storm.
First, keep you and your family safe by heading to a safe location and remaining there until the storm passes.
Once the storm passes it's time to access the damages by walking around your property. Keep an eye out for floodwaters that be quick moving, loose branches, and debris that can fall from overhead, as well as downed electrical wires.
If there are damages that need immediate attention and you can safely try to remedy them temporarily try to do so. Broken windows can be sealed up with plastic, roof damage can be covered with a tarp, etc. It's important to consider any additional damage that your property may be victim to if you don't take swift action.
Keep a camera and notepad to document the damages you see as you examine the aftermath of the storm.
While it's best to set up a meeting with your insurance agent prior to any incident to go over your coverage, many don't think to do this. Going over your policy with your provider to make sure all of your property is included in your policy and for an appropriate amount, will provide you peace of mind when faced with storm damages.
When you meet with your agent make sure all of the structures on your property are covered. Sheds, pole barns, and other outbuildings can be left off of the policy, especially if they are newer builds.
Your insurance policy will cover three areas: Weather damage (hail, wind, fire, snow, etc.), non-weather events (theft, vandalism, etc.), and sudden/accidental events (water pipe breaks). Acts of God are covered, but there are exceptions. The biggest exception is flood damage. Across the board, regardless of carrier, flood damage is not covered. No homeowner’s policy covers you for a flood. If you live in an area prone to flooding you will want to look into the national flood insurance program, FloodSmart.Gov.
Keep documentation of the items in your home/ on your property. Putting away receipts, especially for large purchases could prove handy when filing your insurance claim.
Call your insurance agent as soon as possible. Also, it’s important to stay in contact to avoid possible scams. Unannounced contractors may show up at your doorstep promising to make repairs. Speak with your insurer before any work is done. Usually, your insurer will tell you who’s showing up and when. Get everything you can in writing.” Be aware of these scams and avoid falling victim by contacting your insurance company.
ROOFING DAMAGE:
How do you identify roof damage, and what should you do about your roof after a major storm?
Browse this resource guide by Owens Corning on understanding types of roof storm damage and learn what steps you should take, then download the Owens Corning roof storm damage checklist for future reference.
SIDING DAMAGE:
Strong winds, flying debris, and wind-driven hail are the main culprit when it comes to damage to the exterior of your home. Many types of exterior damage can be identified if you know what to look for. Here is a quick overview of the most common types of exterior damage.
Finding the right contractor is probably the single most important decision homeowners face when making repairs or updates to their homes– even more so than the design itself. Many contractors will not volunteer the kind of information that you need to make the right decision – especially if their answers are not what you want to hear! Make sure you read this report to learn not only the right questions to ask but also the right answers to receive.
If your home has been damaged by a storm you may want to either reach out to your insurance company to ask questions or file a claim. While most insurances will cover the repair of the areas of your home that have been damaged, they usually don't cover the full replacement of the damaged structure.
If you have questions about your insurances policies or procedures the DIFS can offer some insight into the laws and regulations insurance companies need to comply with.
DIFS licenses insurance companies, agents, and public adjusters who do business in Michigan. They can help answer questions regarding what an insurer must do and help explain policy language. If you believe your insurance company has not handled your claim properly, file a complaint with DIFS. They will determine whether your insurance company has followed the Michigan Insurance Code and your policy language in their processing of your claim. Visit “How to File a Complaint” on their website for more information.
Making sure you have a full understanding of what will be covered in the instance of storm damage is important before you are placed in the circumstance where you need to use the coverage. Calling your insurance agent to discuss your coverage and making necessary adjustments is always a good idea when your policy may seem unclear.
In some instances, the insurance company will allow the homeowner to make the repairs or replacements they prefer and then they will reimburse the homeowner for the damages covered by the insurance.
You may have already been considering a new roof or re-siding your home for a much-needed refresh. Having the insurance chip in with their covered repairs may be the nudge you needed to continue with those updates.
If you need a new roof or to re-side your home, the Oakland County roofing and siding professionals at Grennan Construction can help. Our estimates are always free, and we offer financing through Synchrony for those who qualify.
Has your home or business experienced hail, wind, storm, or tornado damage?
Extreme weather damage can wreak havoc on the integrity of your home’s exterior. While some damage is quite apparent, hail can cause hidden damage to the roof of your home or business.
The effects of storm damage can go unnoticed to an untrained eye, are typically hard to detect from the ground, and can take a while to manifest. There is the potential of damage-causing hairline cracks and punctures in shingles, which can lead to a devastating outcome, including delamination, and if not addressed, can cause problems with the structure and soundness of your home.
Grennan Construction specializes in replacing all types of exterior products damaged by Michigan weather.
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