Property Condition Inspection After Storm Damage
How a Structural Engineer Can Assess Wind, Water, & Snow Damage After a Storm
Heavy rain, lightning and thunder, strong winds, violent hailstorms, and ice storms usually instill fear and awe in the hearts of all who witness their great power. In the wake of Hurricane IDA on September 1, 2021 which included tornados in the Delaware Valley area, BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS has been assisting homeowners with Residential Structural Inspections to support their insurance claims so they can get back to normalcy.
A storm, however, is typically forgotten as soon as it passes and people give it no second thought, completely unaware that their property might have been damaged during the adverse weather conditions. Unrecognized storm damage, however, could eventually compromise the integrity of the home and cause all kinds of problems that will affect both the usability and value of the property.
Property Damage Inspection
It is of paramount importance to take quick and adequate precautionary measures in the event of recent storm activity. To prevent leaks, mold, and structural damage to your home, you need to identify any potential problems as soon as possible, make emergency repairs and plan for complete storm damage restoration, if necessary. Your homeowner’s insurance will typically cover most of the repair costs, but your claim will only be approved if you have filed it within the determined time limit.
Storm damage assessment is a process that follows any major storm event. Homes and other structures along the East Coast damaged by recent storms may require a structural inspection to file or resolve an insurance claim. A
Certified Building Inspection Engineer from
BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS can help determine the cause of the damage for insurance companies, adjusters, and homeowners.
We Can Assess If Damages Were the Result of:
- High Winds
- Wind-Driven Rain
- Flooding
- Snow Accumulation
- Improper Construction or Design
BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS conducts structural damage assessments and can provide the documentation insurance companies need to process claims from storms. As a structural engineering firm, we’ve spent many years working throughout the Delaware Valley, and we have seen storm damage of all types. We can identify structural damage causes and deliver a written assessment of our findings. In the event of litigation, we can provide expert witness testimony. Our structural engineers can also determine if the level of wind, water and/or snow damage is repairable or if the entire structure is a loss.
Inspecting Your Home for Storm Damage
If you find any signs of storm damage on your property or suspect a problem, have your home inspected by a licensed engineer right away and obtain a professional assessment of the damage. It is also important to take pictures and videos of the damage as evidence for your insurance claim. Contact your insurance agent to discuss your best course of action. BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS is here to provide the analysis of the damage claims to determine the root cause of the problem. This evaluation can aid insurance adjusters and homeowners in the determination of coverage. If you need structural assessments for damage resulting from a hurricane, tropical storm, tornado, blizzard, flood, or other extreme weather event, please click to contact us online or call 215-340-6990 today for a consultation.
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