6 Questions To Ask Yourself If You’re In Need of Storm Damage Recovery Services

When disaster strikes, tackling storm damage recovery on your own can be tempting. However, there are several risks and challenges that come with DIY restoration projects. 

This blog will explore why hiring professional repair services is your best bet for effective and efficient restoration. 

From their expertise and specialized equipment to their prompt response and insurance assistance, professional repair services offer a comprehensive approach that ensures your property is restored to its pre-damage condition while providing peace of mind. 

Let’s look at six questions to ask yourself when you need storm damage recovery. 

6 Questions To Ask Yourself 

1. What type of damage is it?

The first step of storm damage recovery is determining how bad the damage is. Whether you experienced a flood, a wind storm, a tornado, or a hurricane, you’ll have significant cleanup. The question is what kind. 

With floods, you’ll need to remove water, dry out the area, clean and disinfect, remove damaged materials, and address mold, mildew, and electrical and structural issues. 

With a wind storm, you’ll need to assess the damage, clear debris, secure the property, check your electrical system, remove standing water, and clean and disinfect.

With a tornado, you’ll need to check for gas leaks, check your electrical system, secure your property, remove debris, etc.

As you can see, certain aspects of storm recovery are the same, regardless of the type of damage.
2. How bad is the damage? The next factor to consider is how bad the damage is and what skillsets are required to repair the damage. Generally speaking, you’ll need the following skills for any type of damage:

1. Knowledge of Safety Measures: Safety is necessary when working amidst potential health threats, including water-borne diseases, electric shocks, and structural collapses.
   A person involved in storm damage cleanup should understand safety guidelines provided by relevant regulatory bodies and act appropriately to stave off danger.
   
2. Physical Endurance and Strength: Storm cleanup requires working in challenging environmental conditions, often outdoors and in slippery or unstable spaces. Having the physical endurance, strength, and stamina to complete the work, including lifting heavy objects and performing other labor-intensive tasks, is essential.
   
3. Knowledge of Materials and Supplies: The worker should know how to handle the necessary equipment and supplies used in storm damage cleanup. They should be familiar with the use of basic tools like axes, shovels, and saws, to mention a few.
   
4. Time Management and Organization: Maintaining a schedule and planning activities are crucial during storm damage cleanup. You need to identify critical tasks to be carried out in the short and long term, prioritizing each task to ensure they are accomplished within the set timeframe.
   
5. Customer services: It is crucial to prioritize customer satisfaction while performing storm damage restoration. A storm recovery worker must have empathy, respect, and excellent customer service skills to interact with clients in a way that promotes satisfaction.

3. What resources do you have for DIY repairs?

           If you are considering DIY repairs after a storm or water damage, it is essential to have the necessary resources. Here are some resources that can be of help:

1. Information: Access to relevant information is essential. When planning DIY repairs, it is vital to research and gather information about the task. This includes watching tutorials, reading articles, asking experienced people, and consulting manuals.
   
2. Protective gear: It is crucial to ensure you have personal protective equipment like gloves, boots, masks, and coveralls. Protective gear reduces exposure to harmful chemicals, debris, and biohazards.
   
3. Inspection tools and equipment: The handy tools and equipment required for DIY repairs should be free of rust, pitting, or damage. Inspect equipment and tools to ensure they perform appropriately. If any tools or equipment are faulty or spoiled after water exposure, it may be best to replace them.
   
4. Repair materials: Depending on the damage, you will need some repair materials such as concrete, drywall, lumber, cement, or plaster. Be sure to identify the materials necessary for repair before beginning the job. Keep in mind that repairing the damage efficiently depends on using quality materials.
   
5. Cleaning Supplies: Cleaning is a crucial step in water damage restoration. Have cleaning supplies such as mops, rags, and chemical cleaners that kill bacteria, fungi, and other harmful microorganisms.
   
6. Time and Energy: DIY repairs can take a lot of time and effort. Ensure you have enough time and energy to complete the job satisfactorily. Rushing the job may lead to improper restoration, causing more harm than good.
   Remember that some damage requires the attention of professionals; it is advisable to hire a certified restoration company for these kinds of damage.
   These companies have the necessary expertise, knowledge, and equipment to handle storm or water damage repairs effectively and safely. Overall, if you feel unsure about your DIY abilities, it is always best to hire a professional.

 4. Will DIY cost more than professional repair services?

Although DIY repair might seem like a cost-effective solution, it doesn’t always turn out to be one. After all, if you don’t already have the tools and equipment necessary for the repairs, you’ll need to buy them.
If you hire a professional restoration company, they’ll already have those tools. Not to mention, you’re hiring them for their work and their expertise. You can expect effective and timely restoration, repairs completed with the proper equipment and techniques, and work done that insurance will pay for. There’s also long-term preservation to consider.

Hiring a reputable company for storm damage repair will save you time and money and give you the confidence that your home is fully repaired. 

5. What are the risks of DIY repair?

Several risks are associated with DIY repair projects, especially regarding storm recovery or water damage.

1. Lack of expertise. DIY repairs often lack the expertise and knowledge of professional restoration companies. Restoration experts have extensive training and experience in assessing the extent of damage, identifying potential risks, and implementing proper restoration techniques.
   Without this expertise, DIY repairs may not effectively address the underlying issues and could lead to further damage or complications.
2. Inadequate equipment. Restoration often requires specialized equipment and tools that DIYers may not have access to.
   For example, the proper extraction and drying equipment is necessary to remove water and moisture effectively from your property. Using improper or inadequate equipment can result in incomplete restoration, leading to hidden damage, mold growth, and other long-term issues.
   
3. Safety concerns. Restoration projects can involve dangerous environments, such as areas with exposed electrical wiring or structural instability.
   Without proper training and safety precautions, DIYers are at risk of personal injury or even exacerbating the damage. Professional restoration companies follow strict safety protocols to protect their technicians and ensure the safety of the property.
   
4. Insurance issues. Depending on your insurance policy, attempting DIY repairs without prior approval or professional assistance may impact your coverage for restoration expenses.
   Insurance companies often require proper documentation and evidence from certified professionals to validate the extent of damage and ensure proper restoration. DIY repairs may complicate the claims process or result in denied coverage.

6. Are professional repair services your best bet?

As we’ve mentioned throughout this blog, there are services that come with professional restoration companies that you can’t really replicate yourself. Here are a few things you’ll definitely want from your restoration company:

1. Prompt response and quick restoration. Professional repair services understand the importance of prompt response after damage occurs. They are equipped to handle emergencies and can quickly mobilize a team to start the restoration process. Their ability to act swiftly helps prevent further damage, mitigates risks, and reduces the overall restoration time.
   
2. Safety and health considerations. Restoration projects often involve hazardous materials like mold, sewage, or chemicals.
   Professional repair services follow industry standards and safety protocols to protect their technicians and ensure the safety of your property. They use personal protective equipment and follow proper containment and disposal procedures, reducing the risk of health hazards.
   
3. Insurance assistance. Dealing with insurance companies can be complex and time-consuming. Professional repair services have experience working with insurance companies and can assist you in navigating the claims process.
   They provide the necessary documentation, evidence, and estimates required by your insurance company, ensuring a smoother and more successful claims process.
   
4. Peace of mind. Hiring professional repair services provides peace of mind. You can trust that trained and certified professionals will handle the restoration and that your property will be restored to its pre-damage condition. This allows you to focus on other important matters while knowing that the restoration is being taken care of with expertise and precision.

Have Total Flood and Fire Restoration Take Care of Your Storm Damage

As you can see, hiring a storm restoration company is a good idea if a storm has damaged your home or business. Storm restoration companies have the equipment, knowledge, skills, and speed to clean up and restore your home or business to pre-damage condition. 

It solves the problem you’re facing without creating new ones, which can happen if you aren’t sure what you’re taking on or if the damage is worse than you thought it was. 

Not sure where to turn for help? Total Flood and Fire Restoration has your back. With years of experience cleaning up storm damage, we’ll quickly handle the mess so you can get back to daily life.Call us at 385.503.2572, no matter the time of day, to get started with your storm damage recovery.