Your Storm Damage Repair Contractor Serving Wisconsin & Illinois

As a homeowner, it is important to be prepared in the event severe weather strikes and understand the common types of storm damage, why immediate repairs are important, and how to choose a storm damage repair contractor.

Common Types of Storm Damage

In Wisconsin, the common types of storm damage range from season to season. Heavy snow fall can wear, or possibly damage, your roof during the winter months. From April to August, severe weather peaks bringing the possibility of hail damage and wind damage.

Snow Damage

Ice dams are one of the most common ways your roof can be damaged by snow. Ice dams form when the snow melts, trickles down your roof, and then refreezes over the eaves. When water pools and begins to accumulate on the shingle surface, damage to the shingles and roof deck can occur.  An occasional ice dam can be mitigated by removing the snow. However, if it is a repeat problem, there may be poor ventilation or inadequate insulation that causes excess heat to reach the roof, which will reduce melting snow and risk of ice dams.

Hail Damage

Hail can dent your roof, siding, and gutters. Sometimes hail even cracks windows. Small hail damage may be harder to spot, while large hail damage is often easier.

Wind Damage

Wind damage is often easier to spot and has a clearly visible cause. A tree falling on your home, garage, or structure or shingles tearing off are clear signs of wind damage. Other times, possible structural damage may be harder to spot. Perhaps, tree branches break and strike your home. It may be hard to spot other types of wind damage from the ground.

Flood Damage

Flood damage can occur with significant rainfall or with poor drainage. Gutters can be a great line of defense again flood damage and water damage within your home.

How Storm Damage Impacts Your Home

Severe thunderstorms, heavy rains, hail, and strong winds can cause significant property damage to your roof, siding, gutters, and windows. Significant damage may be easily spotted. However, if you are not sure but know your neighborhood was impacted by a storm or hear your neighbors have identified storm damage, it is worth contacting a storm damage repair contractor for an inspection.

Roof Damage

Your roof is one of the most vulnerable parts of your home. Over time, weather can cause wear and tear on your roof leading to damaged shingles or missing shingles which can lead to leaks. Significant winds may cause trees, branches, or other objects to strike your roof and damage it. Hail may cause dents or cracks in your shingles that can lead to a loss of protective granules, weakened shingles, and leaks.

Siding Damage

Cracks or dents in your siding may be caused by hail, wind, or debris. Damage to your siding can comprise the insulation and structural protection of your home.

Gutter Damage

Storms can lead to increased debris that builds up in your gutters and prevents them from properly directing water away from your home. Gutters that have been cracked, dented, or damaged from wind, hail, or debris may not function properly and direct water away from your home. If your gutters aren’t doing their job, your home is at risk for water and possibly flooding damage.

Window Damage

Hail, debris, and other objects may crack, chip, or break your windows. Damaged windows do not protect your home from the exterior elements and need to be repaired.

Why immediate repairs are important

If severe weather has impacted your home, take immediate action. Don’t wait.

Mitigate Damages

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to mitigate damages. Insurance will likely cover the tree removal and wind damage from a tree falling on your home. However, they won’t cover further damages that occur due to inaction of the homeowner. Unresolved issues, such as roof leaks or window cracks, can lead to leaks and additional damage to your home.

Structural Integrity

Storm damage can weaken the structural integrity of your home. Compromised structural integrity may result in the form of visible cracks in walls, significant roof damage, etc.  It is important to restore the structural integrity of your home as soon as possible.

Health & Safety

Leaks can promote mold growth and water damage. Structural damage can lead to unsafe living conditions. Cracked windows pose a home security risk.

Minimize Repair Costs

Delayed storm damage repair can increase repair costs. Something that begins as a minor concern can quickly grow into a major problem.

How to Choose a Storm Damage Repair Contractor

In the event of storm damage, how should you choose a storm damage repair contractor? You will want to choose someone local, qualified, insured, and licensed with a quality reputation and solid warranty. Better yet, you will want to work with someone who makes the experience as seamless and stress-free as possible.

Local

Storm chasers come in many forms. It is not uncommon for out-of-state companies to send representatives to areas impacted by storms. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) cautions “property owners be skeptical of repair crews who use aggressive, high-pressure sales tactics to solicit contracts after a storm.”

Don’t trust these traveling repair companies to remain in contact and stand by their work. Instead, choose a local company who you can get in touch with for the initial estimates and years down the road in the event a warranty claim arises. Furthermore, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) recommends asking trusted sources such as friends and neighbors for referrals. Check out their guidance on how to Choose a Trustworthy Contractor for Storm Damage Repairs.

Qualified

Check their qualifications and expertise. Make sure they have the experience to provide quality work that they stand by and warranty.

Insured & Licensed

Being licensed and insured should be a given in but you always want to check!

Reputation & Reviews

Positive word of mouth and a referral is always a great way to find a storm damage repair contractor. It is always good to check their online reviews and reputation to make sure their customers are satisfied with their service and quality of work.

Warranty

Make sure you understand your warranty options.

Insurance

Filing an insurance claim due to storm damage can be stressful. Your storm damage repair contractor is familiar with the process and can often help along the way. If you contact a contractor early, they can be there when the insurance adjuster comes out to assess the claim to help represent your interests.

Storm Damage Steps to Take

Following a severe storm, it is important to conduct an assessment of the damage, document the damage, and contact professionals.

Initial Assessment

The first step is to take an initial assessment of your property by inspecting visible damage such as fallen trees, branches, debris, and hail.  Once you have identified areas of damage, it is time to document.

Document Damage

Be as detailed as possible with your documentation. Take photos of the damage before removing debris. Take photos from different angles to get the full scope of the damage.

Contact Professionals

Contact a storm damage repair contractor and your insurance company as soon as possible. It is important to take prompt action in reporting and beginning the repairs.

Contact PK Contractors Today

Estimates are always free. PK Contractors will thoroughly evaluate your home to determine if there has been storm damage and help you determine if a repair or replacement is best for you. 

You can trust PK Contractors to assess the damage and work with you to file an insurance claim.  You may qualify for a new roof, siding, windows, or gutters due to extensive storm damage. Our goal is to make the process of getting your home back to its original state as painless and seamless as possible for our customers.