Totally agree—storm repairs can snowball faster than you'd think. One thing I'd add is don't overlook smaller stuff like gutters and flashing. After a big storm, gutters can get clogged or bent, causing water to back up and seep into places you wouldn't expect. Flashing around chimneys or vents is another sneaky spot—sometimes the damage isn't obvious until you're up close. Learned that the hard way after a storm last spring... ended up replacing a whole section of soffit because I missed it initially.
Good points on gutters and flashing, but honestly, sometimes the smaller stuff can wait a bit. First priority after a storm should always be structural—roof integrity, windows, walls. I've seen people waste time on minor fixes while bigger issues got worse... expensive lesson.
"First priority after a storm should always be structural—roof integrity, windows, walls."
Couldn't agree more. I've seen homeowners jump straight into fixing gutters or minor leaks, only to find underlying structural damage later. Definitely smart to tackle the big stuff first—cheaper in the long run, too.
Good points overall. A couple things I'd add from experience:
- Structural checks first, definitely. But don't underestimate water intrusion—even minor leaks can lead to mold or rot if ignored too long.
- Insurance adjusters often prioritize visible structural damage, so documenting that clearly helps with claims later.
"Definitely smart to tackle the big stuff first—cheaper in the long run, too."
True, but sometimes smaller issues can escalate quickly if overlooked. Curious, has anyone here had trouble convincing insurance about hidden damages discovered later?
Yeah, insurance can be a real headache with hidden damages. Had a situation last year where everything looked fine initially after a storm—just some shingles and siding—but then a month later, boom, mold city behind the drywall. Adjuster was skeptical at first, but luckily I'd taken tons of photos and videos during initial cleanup. Lesson learned: document everything, even stuff that seems minor at the time... saved me from a bigger hassle later.