April Showers Brings... Property Damage

3/31/2021 (Permalink)

This tree fell on a truck during a storm on 3/26/2021. It blocked his driveway. We were called out to remove it.

When it comes to bad weather Cincinnati and NKY are no strangers to storms. Current results, a statistical website, collected data between the years 1981-2010. With an average of 137 days per year, Cincinnati Ohio ranks number 8 for the most, rainy days nationwide!  Covington isn’t far behind with an average of 132 days. While bad weather can hit at any moment our office has observed that most of this rain comes between the months of March-June. Are you ready for the storm? Let’s find out.

Insurance Coverage

One of the easiest things you can do to protect yourself from storm damage is to speak with your insurance agent about coverage. Insurance Information Institute says that there are 5 main things covered on your insurance policy:

• Fire
• Hurricane
• Hail
• Lightning 
• Or other disasters

In most cases, this does not include flooding. You’ll want to ask your agent about what qualifies as flooding. Claims that we see declined most frequently around here involve water intrusion from the outside. This includes water that comes up from the foundation, water that comes through a window well, and water that comes from underneath an outside door.

Further details you’ll want to ask about is whether or not you have coverage for sump pump backups. Sewage backups are also an important discussion because even though you might have coverage there may be a cap on the amount of coverage. That amount will have to last you not only through mitigation but also repairs. Nobody is going to know your policy better than your agent. Having a discussion with them can help you prepare for this year’s storm season.

Home Repairs

Another important task is taking a walk around your house before a big storm hits. Look for situations in or on your home that could be problematic.

• Missing shingles
• Holes in your shingles
• Siding i.e. missing, crooked, or damaged pieces
• Check if your gutters are clean
• Repair any damages to your gutters
• Check that your sump pump is working properly
• Look for loose debris around your house
• Trim away dead branches or branches hanging over your roof
• Cut down dead trees that are close to your structure
• Inspect your windows for cracks and broken seals
• Clear leaves and debris from your drains

SERVPRO wants you to be prepared for this upcoming storm season. That’s why we also offer reconstruction services for any repairs you may need to make on your home to prevent further damage. Call us today for your free estimate and peace of mind.