Seven Tips for Minimizing the Scope of Damage From Severe Weather in Haltom City, TX

8/17/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth highlights seven ways that Haltom City homeowners can lessen the impact of severe weather on their homes.

When severe weather strikes Haltom City, TX, and the surrounding area, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth provides water and storm damage restoration services that help the community recover. Although storm damage may seem unavoidable, homeowners can prepare for thunderstorms and other severe weather by taking steps to reduce damage to Haltom City homes.

1. Keep the treescape in top condition.

Trees in the yard could pose a threat to the home and nearby structures during heavy rains and high winds. Excessive amounts of rain loosen the soil around the roots of the tree, weakening the tree’s ability to remain standing in the path of high winds. The tree could topple onto the home, damaging the roof resulting in a water intrusion. A domino effect could occur in which one tree causes other trees to uproot. Hire an arborist to trim the trees around the home, eliminate overhanging branches, and remove diseased, dying, or dead trees.

The director of operations and urban forestry at Texas Trees Foundation offers the following tree care tips:

• Avoid hiring just anyone to remove fallen trees and debris when severe weather damages the treescape. Individuals with a chainsaw and pickup truck will drive through affected neighborhoods offering tree removal and cleanup services at a very low price. If a problem arises, the crew will disappear, leaving the homeowner with an even larger problem.
• Always hire a qualified, bonded, and insured tree service to remove any fallen trees. Incorrect pruning can cause damaged trees to fall victim to high winds during the next severe thunderstorm. If an uninsured tree service company damages the house, the homeowner could be held liable. An insured company will cover any further damage to the structure.
• Hire a certified arborist for the best treescape care. To ensure the treescape receives the best care, hire an arborist to prune the trees at least once a year. A competent arborist will shape the trees so that they are beautiful, healthy, and safe.
• Avoid cutting down trees if at all possible. Trees are an asset, and a well-managed treescape can add as much as twenty percent to the overall value of a property. Homeowners should invest in their trees, which add value and beauty to a home.

2. Install a lightning surge protector.

According to DisasterSafety.org, a resource from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, a lightning surge protector for the home costs between $300 and $500 and requires one to three hours to install. A whole-house surge protector can help prevent costly electronics from being destroyed by a lightning strike to the home.

3. Construct protective screens around HVAC units.

For a relatively low budget, an industrious homeowner can add years to the life of an HVAC unit by constructing a screen around the unit. The screen shields the coils and fins of the unit from hail damage. In hail-prone areas such as Northeast Fort Worth and the greater North Texas region, a hail screen makes sense.

4. Upgrade to a wind-rated garage door or reinforce the existing door.

Older unreinforced garage doors are vulnerable to damage from high winds. High winds cause the door to bow inward. The increased air pressure in the garage is strong enough to cause structural damage to the roof and surrounding walls. Wind-rated garage doors are manufactured to tolerances that can withstand high winds without allowing the home to sustain damage.

The homeowner who is unable to purchase and install a new wind-rated garage door can reinforce the existing garage door. The bracing must be in place ahead of severe weather.

5. Upgrade to steel gutters and downspouts.

Inadequate or damaged gutters are a common source of water damage in the attic and in the walls of a home. Because steel is stronger than vinyl and aluminum, it is less prone to leakage.

6. Upgrade to better quality impact-rated shingles when repairing or replacing a roof.

Wind, hail, and water damage are some of the most common causes of property damage, and the roof is a home’s first line of defense against severe weather. Homeowners can help prevent a water damage headache by replacing shingles. High-impact, better-quality shingles may qualify a homeowner for an insurance discount.

7. Pre-qualify a property damage restoration company before storm damage.

SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth specializes in storm damage cleanup and restoration for residential and commercial properties. The team provides emergency tarping, board-ups, security fencing, pack-ups, and storage. Technicians also provide restoration services after a fire, smoke, or water damage incident and can perform mold and mildew remediation.

For more information about water damage restoration in Haltom City, TX, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth, TX, by calling (817) 741-5737. The office can also be reached by email at office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com.