Zeta, the 27th storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, wreaked havoc in our neck of the woods, and hopefully your home survived with no apparent damage. But it is still important that you take the time to carefully look at your house and examine it for damage such as missing shingles or vents plugged by wind-blown debris.  Here is a list of things you should do to complete a post-hurricane home inspection:

  1. Check your roof for visible damage. Look carefully at valleys where the roof planes intersect and check anything that comes up through the roof, such as vent stacks. Roof Inspection Tips
  2. View your dryer vent outlet.  Use a flashlight to see if it is clogged with debris from the storm. Remove any debris that you find.
  3. Inspect furnace vents that run directly through the wall.  Look for damage and clogs, especially bits of shattered leaves hurled into it by hurricane force winds.
  4. Check gutters and downspouts. They can come loose if a strong wind catches them.  This can result in them eventually swinging loose and doing some real damage. Clean them out if they are clogged.
  5. Examine your air conditioning unit for damage.  Before you turn your unit on you want to be sure that nothing is damaged. 
  6. Look at your home’s electrical service entrance.  If it is sagging or leaning, contact an electrician immediately.
  7. Make sure your fence is still standing.  Take a walk around the perimeter of your fence and push it to check for storm-weakened sections. 
  8. Observe any large trees you have on your property. You may want to consider having them removed if they are a possible threat to your home in future storms.

When examining your home after a hurricane or storm, document and take photos of any damage that you find. This will make the insurance claims process much easier. How to File an Insurance Claim After a Natural Disaster

If you are in the market to buy or sell a home, let Sandra Nickel and her Hat Team of Professionals assist you with all your real estate needs!  Call them today at 334-834-1500!

Photo Credit: insurancejournal.com