Immediate Post-Storm Recovery Steps for Homeowners After Tropical Storm Helene

Post-Storm Recovery Steps for Homeowners

Tropical Storm Helene recently swept through Georgia, leaving a trail of water damage, downed trees, and power outages in its wake. As homeowners begin the recovery process, it’s crucial to know the right steps to take immediately after a storm to protect your property and ensure a smooth restoration process. At XSI Restoration, we specialize in storm damage recovery and want to guide you through the essential actions to take after a storm like Helene.

Post-Storm Recovery Steps for Homeowners

1. Ensure Safety First

Your safety and that of your family should be the top priority after a storm. Avoid entering heavily damaged areas until you’ve confirmed they are safe. Watch out for hazards like downed power lines, sharp debris, and flooding, which can pose immediate dangers. If your home is severely damaged, consider staying elsewhere until it’s deemed safe by professionals.

2. Document the Damage

Before beginning any clean-up, document the damage thoroughly. Use your phone to take photos and videos of all affected areas. Be sure to capture both the exterior and interior damage, including any structural issues, water intrusion, or broken items. These images will be essential when filing your insurance claim, helping you get the maximum compensation for repairs.

3. Contact Your Insurance Company

Once you’ve documented the damage, reach out to your insurance provider as soon as possible to report the storm damage. Provide them with your photos and videos and keep records of all communication. It’s important to familiarize yourself with your policy, so you understand what coverage you have for storm damage, particularly for water damage, roof repairs, or flood insurance.

4. Prevent Further Damage

While waiting for professional help, do what you can to prevent further damage to your property. This might include placing tarps over holes in the roof, boarding up broken windows, or removing valuables from flooded areas. Be careful not to take on more than you can safely handle, and always leave major repairs to professionals.

5. Call a Professional Restoration Company

Once you’ve reported the damage, it’s time to call XSI Restoration, your trusted local storm damage restoration experts. We understand how overwhelming it can be to face storm damage, and our team is here to help. With our emergency response services, we can quickly assess the damage, mitigate water damage, and begin the cleanup and restoration process. Whether your home has suffered water damage, roof damage, or structural issues, our team has the expertise and equipment to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.

6. Assess Mold Risk

After a storm like Helene, the risk of mold growth is high due to the moisture introduced by rain and flooding. Mold can develop within 24 to 48 hours in damp environments, so it’s critical to act fast. At XSI Restoration, we offer professional mold remediation services to ensure your home is safe and free from mold-related health hazards.

7. Start Repairs

Once the immediate threats are addressed and your home is secured, we’ll work with you to create a detailed plan for full restoration. Whether it’s repairing damaged roofing, removing water from flooded areas, or restoring walls and floors, XSI Restoration will handle every step of the process with precision and care.

Conclusion

Recovering from storm damage can be stressful, but following these steps can help you stay safe and make the recovery process smoother. With the recent impact of Tropical Storm Helene, it’s more important than ever to act quickly and get professional help. At XSI Restoration, we are committed to helping Georgia residents recover from storm damage efficiently and effectively.

Contact us today to learn how we can assist you in restoring your home. For storm recovery support, call XSI Restoration or visit our website. We’re here to help you weather any storm!

Prevent Water Damage To Your Home With These Tips

How often do you think about water seeping into your home and damaging your furniture, flooring and personal items? Most people don’t get concerned about plumbing leaks or natural disasters and floods until it happens to them. Unfortunately, water damage is all too common among homeowners. It is more likely to occur in your home than fire damage or a burglary.

Common Appliances That Can Cause Water Damage

Mature man using mobile phone crouching on chair in flooded living room

Plumbing leaks can occur in several areas, some of which you may not think of, including:

  • Bath tubs
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Showers
  • Sinks
  • Toilets
  • Washing machines

We understand that you can’t predict a natural disaster like a flood, but the afore mentioned are appliances and fixtures that you can be aware of and maintain with the following tips to help you with preventable causes of water damage.

Tips To Prevent Water Damage To Your Home

Here are some helpful tips to help you prevent water damage to your home:

1. Know Where The Main Water Shut Off For Your Home Is Located

If you have an issue with a burst pipe in your home, the first thing you will need to do is shut off the main water supply. This should stop the flow of water in most situations.

2. Check Hoses And Faucets Regularly

Make a point of examining the hoses for your washing machine, dishwasher and refrigerator once a year. Mark a date on your calendar to perform this function so you don’t forget. Look for cracks and water leaks. All hoses should be replaced every five-seven years.

3. Install Floor Pans Under Your Appliances

This step won’t protect you from a catastrophic leak, but it will protect your floors and the underlying parts of your home from damage from slow leaks, which can remain undetected for some time.

4. Inspect Caulking Around Your Shower And Tub

Make sure that it is watertight. If you find any leaks or it appears to be crumbly, replace it immediately so that the seal is restored as soon as possible. You don’t want even a small amount of water to penetrate in between the tub, shower or tiles. Properly sealed fixtures can prevent water from seeping behind your walls or into your flooring.

5. Look At Buying Point Of Leak Water Alarms

This type of water alarm works in the same manner as smoke alarms. When water is found in a specific area, the alarm is triggered to warn you of a threat. The sensors can be installed in your basement, bathroom, laundry room, kitchen or next to your sump pump. This warning can work wonders to prevent mold damage or other problems from slow, undiscovered water leaks.

Expert Water Damage Restoration Services In Atlanta

XSI Disaster Services is your local expert for water damage restoration Atlanta. If your home has been damaged by any type of water damage, call us today. Our repair services are available 24/7 and we can also restore your damaged paper documents!

Call The Water Damage Repair Experts Today At (770) 787-9096!