Whether it’s rain, wind, snow, or hail, extreme weather can do damage to your building, and your roof. Knowing what to do immediately after a storm can help protect your commercial building and its contents from further damage, as well as limit costs. First steps include performing a damage assessment, documenting it with photos or video, and contacting your insurance company to file a claim, if necessary. This checklist will help you know what to look for when assessing damage after a storm, as well as how to protect your building from additional damage.
A word about safety
Before taking any of the actions below, ensure the safety of the building occupants and the public. Storm-damaged buildings often have hidden hazards. Check for downed power lines, gas leaks, broken glass, or other dangers before performing your assessment. Additionally, if you are performing the post-storm assessment yourself, ensure that you have the proper fall protection systems in place and wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including a hard hat, eye protection, sturdy shoes with rubber soles, and high-visibility clothing. If you have concerns about your safety when doing the assessment, don’t hesitate to call a professional. They have the equipment and experience to mitigate risks.Post-storm damage assessment
While performing your assessment, be sure to document it by either photographing or videoing any signs of damage you find. This will help when submitting a claim with your insurance, as well as provide a record of the conditions for your building maintenance records.Building exterior
Start by walking around all sides of the building and throughout the property. Note debris, downed limbs or trees, building damage, flooding, roof shingles, and anything else.Roof inspection
Begin your roof inspection on the ground, noting any shingles or other signs of roof damage. Check downspouts and scuppers for blockages. Then move up to the roof, if it is safe to do so. Depending on the type of weather you experienced, you may see different signs of damage: Hail: Inspect the surface of the roof for damage, including dents in flashings, vents, or gutters, or cracks in the membrane. If you have an asphalt roof, note any signs of granule loss or damaged or missing shingles. Rain: Check for water ponding on the roof surface, especially if it’s been more than 48 hours since the rain stopped. If you still have standing water, it could be a drainage or structural issue. Wind: Look for lifted or missing flashings, exposed membrane seams, or torn membranes. Missing or torn shingles are also a sign of wind damage. Snow and ice: If you have snow buildup on your roof, it could mean excess weight on your roof structure and possibly cause structural issues. Additionally, ice dams along the roof edges or in gutters can trap water and force it underneath the roofing materials, causing damage. Signs to look for include sagging or creaking in the structure and leaks that show up during melting.Interior signs of damage
Next, you’ll want to check the interior of the building for signs of water leaks, broken pipes, or other damage. Be sure to look in the attic space, as roof leaks will appear there before they reach occupied spaces. Interior signs of damage, particularly water leaks, include:- Dripping water
- Water stains on ceilings or walls
- Bubbling paint or drywall
- Leaks around vents, skylights, or HVAC equipment
- Musty or moldy odors, or black staining
How to prevent further damage
After you complete your damage assessment, it’s important to protect the building from further damage, especially where it has already occurred. To protect the building and its occupants or visitors:- Remove large debris from the roof and property, if possible
- If the roof is damaged, cover it with a tarp or other waterproof material
- If windows are broken, cover them with plywood
- Use caution tape and cones to prevent access to downed trees or limbs that will require professional removal
- If there are gas or water leaks, turn off building service or near the leak