While hurricane season lasts from June through November, severe weather can damage your home any time of the year. Having a restoration plan is essential when disaster strikes to ensure efficient repairs and get your house back to normal. What should be your course of action? What repairs can you do alone? Here are six steps to take when restoring a storm-damaged home. 

1. Review Your Insurance Policy

The first step should be reviewing your insurance policy. Home insurance will cover a fraction of the damage, and the policy will show what damage the company will pay for. While home insurance in Florida is the most expensive in America, having it is essential for post-storm repairs. Research shows Florida residents pay about $6,000 annually for home insurance — about four times more than average in America. 

After you review the policy, it’s time to document the storm damage in your home. Take as many pictures and videos as possible to ensure the insurance company gets a comprehensive view of what’s happening. Some insurance companies have applications letting you take photographs directly in the software, saving you time. Once the insurance company has pictures, the insurance adjuster can proceed with estimates.

While you can conduct the inspection yourself, remember to exercise caution when walking around a damaged home. The house could have loose roof shingles, broken glass, mold and other dangerous objects. Wear heavy-duty boots and personal protective equipment (PPE) like eye goggles and hard hats to protect your body from injuries.

2. Seek Emergency Assistance Programs

Repairing storm damage can be intimidating from a logistical and financial standpoint. However, you don’t have to tackle this problem alone. Florida and the federal government have resources to help those displaced by the storm and needing repairs. 

For example, the federal government has disaster relief through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). You can also find local resources, such as Red Cross shelters, emergency resource contacts and small business loans. FEMA’s current policy allows for a one-time $700 payment if you have Critical Needs Assistance. This program also brings fuel, water and food to those in need.

In Florida, you have a few opportunities for emergency assistance within the state. The Florida Department of Commerce disperses community development block grants for areas needing help after a storm. Apply for these state and federal grants to mitigate severe weather’s financial toll on your home. 

3. Complete Temporary Repairs

In some circumstances, your house may be uninhabitable as it stands. Waiting for the insurance company to send technicians is generally the best idea. However, you may need temporary repairs to ensure your safety. 

Stick to the smaller, more manageable tasks that don’t require expert knowledge. For example, let a licensed professional handle the electrical wiring so you avoid electrical shock and electrocution. The NIH says electrical injuries kill about 1,000 people annually, so leave it to the pros. 

More manageable post-storm home repairs include boarding up your windows, removing debris from your yard or stopping leaks. Leaky pipes are an easy fix, typically requiring hose clamps or slip-nut tightening. Plumber tape can be a suitable remedy if your home has older, worn pipes.

4. Restore the Floors

Some repairs may be more difficult than others. Still, they are necessary for stopping the damage in its tracks. The storm may have damaged your home with floodwaters, resulting in a damaged basement, garage or other flooring. If you have carpet or hardwood flooring, your home may be more susceptible to water damage due to the impact of floodwaters. For example, excess water causes distortion and warping in hardwood, making the floor buckle. 

While it may seem like a tall task, some remedies mitigate the damage. Your priority should be removing the standing water from your home and any objects the water damaged. Sump pumps effectively remove large amounts of standing water, whereas dry vacuums may suit smaller areas. After removing the water, take time to clean the floor because the water likely contains contaminants. Plus, you don’t want mold buildup afterward.  

5. Replace the Windows

The past few hurricane seasons have brought torrential storms and strong winds to Florida. In August, Hurricane Idalia brought winds eclipsing 125 miles per hour, knocking out windows, power lines and other essential infrastructure. You only need a Category 1 hurricane to see shattered windows, so Floridians must care for their windows with solid replacements. 

Installing hurricane windows is excellent if you want to repair your home now and protect it for the future. These fixtures are ideal for Florida residents because they better protect your home from strong winds than typical windows. 

When searching for hurricane windows, track their durability by looking at the design pressure (DP). A higher DP rating means they’re more resistant to hurricanes as they increase from one category to the next. For example, a DP rating of 50 protects against Category 5 hurricanes — torrential storms exceeding 157 mph winds. 

6. Track Your Expenses

When the insurance company sends licensed professionals, they’ll handle your most complex jobs. Once they’ve completed their work, homeowners must keep every receipt or invoice they get for these jobs. You may get physical documentation through paperwork, while some companies have gone completely digital to reduce the risk of losing receipts. This paperwork is essential for getting the correct reimbursement from your insurance company.

If you own rental properties, your financial documents will be even more critical once tax season arrives. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) says you can deduct repairs on your tax return to lower your yearly taxable income. This policy is helpful during storm repairs because you’ll have peace of mind knowing your tax bill will be lower once it’s time to file. 

Restoring Florida Homes Back to New

Living in Florida brings warm weather year-round, making it an attractive place for many. However, residents of the Sunshine State face the reality of severe weather, especially during hurricane season. Torrential storms damage homes and force many to rely on their insurance providers for relief.

While some repairs are doable, waiting for the insurance company to send licensed professionals is best — even if it takes a few days or weeks. Until then, apply for emergency relief through the state and federal government.