The damage tornado’s bring is indisputable, so if your home ends up in the path of one, what are some things you should know about your homes condition after it has occurred? This may seem like a strange question to ask as the damage is usually obvious, but there may also be damage that you cannot see immediately. What are some things to look out for?
- A tornado can severely shake a home, meaning that it could have sustained damage in all kinds of ways. The plumbing system should be checked after a tornado as pipes and fixtures could be cracked and twisted. A way to check is by turning on all taps etc. and see that nothing is leaking. Make sure to check the ceiling and under cabinets for signs of water leaking.
- Tornados will often cause a lot of damage by uprooting trees, which, in turn could damage underground gas pipes causing a leak. Check that this hasn’t happened before using gas in your home.
- Look around the inside of the home for any stress cracks. This should be looked for especially in areas or corners where the ceiling meets the wall. You might find it best to use a level to check the walls and floor.
- While most roof damage will be immediately visible, any damage caused to the roof, if not dealt with quickly, will make the home more susceptible to water damage and later on will show up in the form of mold and water stains on inside walls etc.
- Another area of concern after a tornado is the chimney. If a chimney has been damaged it could prevent proper ventilation which means, there is a big risk of carbon monoxide accumulating in the living space.
- If a tornado is strong enough it can lift a homes foundation. Check for signs of cracking or separating of masonry and have a check of crawlspaces for signs of damage or change.
This has been just a few of the areas in the home that could be damaged by a tornado. For more information, please feel free to contact us.
