Steps for Dealing With Windows That Have Been Broken During Severe Weather

1/10/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Palo Alto offers tips on how to address a broken window that has been damaged by severe weather, as well as how to deal with the resulting water damage.

SERVPRO of Palo Alto offers advice for homeowners on how to deal with a broken window resulting from storm damage in Sunnyvale, CA. The team of professionals offers storm damage and flood restoration services for large and small property damage disasters. The goal is to restore the damaged property and return life to normal as soon as possible.

Severe weather can damage or break windows, which are vital for privacy, security, and comfort. When a window is damaged, it needs to be repaired or replaced immediately. The failure to quickly resolve the breach can lead to higher energy bills, advanced water damage, including mold, and a greater vulnerability to intrusion from unwanted guests. Some window damage is difficult to detect. If left unrepaired, structural damage and damage to the home’s foundation can occur.

Assessing window damage while staying safe

Make sure the storm has passed before inspecting the outside of the home. Stay away from pooled water in case of a lightning strike or a downed powerline. If power lines are down, notify the utility company for repairs and the appropriate authorities so the area can be cordoned off and made safe.

Potential hazards and structural damage may be hidden or out of sight. Loose roofing materials or tree limbs and branches may fall from the roof, injuring bystanders. Check for trip-and-fall hazards, such as fallen trees, heavy sheeting, or loose or broken shingles, around the home’s perimeter.

Identifying signs of hail damage

Hail damage is easily identifiable, and signs include dents in the siding and on the roof. If vehicles in the driveway have sustained hail damage, it is likely that the roof, siding, and windows have suffered damage.

Hail is hard to miss. It makes a distinctive sound when impacting the roof, vehicles, and deck. In just a few minutes, the landscape can be white as snow. Hail damage to windows includes:

• Broken or shattered panes or entire glass panels
• Dented, torn, or broken window screens
• Dented flashing above windows or frames
• Cracked glazing

Identifying signs of wind damage

High winds have the power to topple trees, snap branches and limbs, send lawn furniture airborne, and cause severe roof damage. High winds can shatter windows, if not from the sheer force of the wind, then from the impact of a wind-born projectile. In the event of a strong windstorm, visually inspect the home’s exterior for the following:

• Dents, holes, or cracks in the glass
• Dented frames
• Shattered or broken panes
• Chipped paint
• Cracked or split siding or wood

Spotting signs of water damage

Hail and wind damage is easy to identify because the evidence is readily visible: ripped or torn screens, shattered glass in the floor, and dents in the siding. On the other hand, water damage is not as obvious. Lingering water damage and unrepaired leaks can promote mold growth, which can compromise the foundation and structure of the house. It is important for the homeowner to enlist the services of a competent, reliable water damage restoration service to mitigate the water intrusion and repair the damaged structure.

Where to look for flooding and leaks from storm damage

Moisture buildup between the panes of a window indicates the structure of the window may have been compromised during the severe weather. Brown, copper, or yellow stains or water spots on the ceiling may signal a roof leak. Walls suffering from water damage will display bubbling, peeling, or cracking in the wallpaper or paint; these signs often manifest in the wall area along the sides of and just under the window. Soft flooring under the window signals that the window has sustained damage and is leaking.

What to do in the case of water intrusion through a broken window

A broken window that affords little or no protection from the elements needs to be repaired or replaced immediately. The damage needs to be inspected, assessed, and mitigated by a reputable restoration company. A delay in taking action can have two consequences. First, the water damage can escalate with each episode of wet weather. This unresolved water intrusion can result in advanced secondary damage, including a mold infestation.

Second, most homeowner’s insurance policies require the homeowner to promptly exercise due diligence in the event of storm damage, water damage, or fire damage. Negligence to address the issue in a timely fashion may limit or altogether void policy coverage for the damage disaster.

When Sunnyvale, CA, homeowners need flood restoration services, they can trust the knowledgeable, experienced, and certified professionals at SERVPRO of Palo Alto. They have industry-leading equipment, advanced moisture-detecting technology, and the latest cleaning techniques and EPA-approved cleaning solutions for the job. SERVPRO of Palo Alto can handle the insurance claims process from start to finish, with no headaches or stress for the customer.

For more information about Sunnyvale, CA, flood damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Palo Alto at (650) 800-3448 or email office@SERVPROpaloalto.com