Prepare Your Roof, Windows and Skylights for Rough and Rainy Weather in Daytona

By: Michael Lilly
10/14/14 8:00 AM

Stormy weather can strike no matter what part of the country you live in. If you're a homeowner in Palm Coast, don't be caught unprepared for the worst. Read on for tips to prepare your roof, windows and skylights for rough and rainy weather.

Your Roof

Your roof is a key target for wind and water damage. The best way to prevent problems is to inspect your roof annually and after every major storm in Flagler Beach. Look for signs of damage such as

    •    loose or missing tiles or shingles
    •    damaged tiles or shingles (cracked, chipped, split or gouged)
    •    mold, mildew or rot
    •    flapping ridge vents
    •    loose or broken flashing around chimneys, vents and skylights
    •    loose or missing chimney bricks or damaged tuck pointing
    •    missing or loose chimney cap
    •    cracked or blocked chimney flues
    •    roof punctures
    •    soggy, boggy or wet spots

Roof Damage should be address immediately

Most people aren't experienced enough or comfortable enough with heights to do this kind of thorough inspection on their own. Do yourself a favor and call a roofing expert in Hammock Dunes to do it for you. Don't wait around to take care of any necessary repairs, or you risk a small area of damage morphing into a bigger and more costly one. Often your homeowners insurance will cover much of the repair cost, as roof damage can lead to further claims for the interior of the home in Beverly Beach.

Your gutters and downspouts are part of your roof too, because they assist in keeping it dry. Whenever you inspect your roof, have your gutters checked as well, and plan on cleaning them out about twice a year. Pay special attention to the gutters and roof line if you have had ice damming over the past winter.

In fact, if you've experienced ice damming, it's wise to have your roofing team assess the heat loss on the upper part of your roof in Bunnell. When temperatures there exceed 32 degrees Fahrenheit, snowmelt runs down to the gutter line, where it can re-freeze and cause subsequent melting to flow into the layers of your roof or even your home's interior. Usually this can be prevented by adding insulation to the attic and ventilating the roof in Marineland.

One last roof tip: if you live in a hurricane zone, consider securing your roof to the home with hurricane straps. This prevents air from moving upward during a hurricane and literally blowing the roof off the house.

Your Windows

Your windows and skylights should shut tightly without any air or water leaking in. If your frames are in good condition but the windows are not efficient or don't function properly, think about vinyl replacement windows. These leave the frame intact and replace the glass panels with more energy-saving and protective models.

If you reside in a cold area, you may want to add slide-down storm windows to offer an extra layer of protection and insulation in the winter. Rather than getting hurricane-proof windows, you may be better off installing shutters, a centuries-old mechanism for homes by the sea. Bahama and awning shutters are more aesthetically pleasing, while accordion and vertical metal shutters are the toughest when it comes to hurricane protection in Hammock. Anyone who weathers big storms can put these to good use.

Your home is probably your greatest asset. Take good care of it, and it will take care of you. If you nip small problems in the bud, you can often prevent bigger ones from disrupting your life or even causing the loss of your home in Hammock Beach.


SERVPRO of Flagler County Professionals provide fire and water damage restoration services. SERVPRO of Flagler County proudly serves Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, Hammock Dunes, Beverly Beach, Bunnell, Marineland, Hammock, Hammock Beach, and surrounding areas. We are available 24 hours/7 days a week and are ready to restore damage to your home or commercial structure caused by:

• Water Damage
• Fire Damage
• Disaster, storm and flood damage
• Mold Damage

Daytona Beach Homeowners need to Understanding the Difference Between Flood Claims and Water Damage Claims

By: Michael J. Lilly
www.michaeljlilly.us
Oct. 8 2014 8:45 ET

After experiencing water damage, you may be left wondering what your options are. In most cases, you should make sure that you fix all water damage as quickly as possible. Once you have done this, you can then proceed to file for claims. Fixing your home immediately can prevent problems from getting worse due to mold or decomposition. However, afterward you will still need to deal with the consequences of the bills. For some homeowners, it may be possible for insurance to cover some of the losses. However, many homeowners insurance policies do not always come packaged with flood insurance. To provide assistance, this will take a look at the differences between flood insurance and water damage claims.

Water Damage Claims
After experiencing water damage, your first impulse was probably to call your insurance company. Hopefully, you haven't done this yet. There is a big difference between water damage claims and flood insurance. Water damage can be caused by storms, accidents, or bursting pipes. These claims are only valid when water damage is associated with water that did not first touch the ground. This means that water coming from a regular thunderstorm or tornado is usually covered under water damage claims. In contrast, a flooded lake or stream that inundates a person's home is not covered.

Flood Insurance
It is important to keep in mind that flood insurance is a special form of insurance contract. It does not automatically come with a standard homeowners insurance policy. In almost all cases, individuals have to purchase flood insurance separately from homeowners insurance. Since many homeowners are not aware of this, homeowners are often outraged when they discover that their insurance contract does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is generally available for just a few dollars each month. Without this insurance, homeowners can not expect to have any damage associated with flooding covered under their homeowners insurance policy.

Implications of Denied Coverage

If an insurance company declines your application to cover water damage, it could still have a big impact on your monthly insurance rates. Insurance companies can take advantage of information in your claims application to increase your monthly insurance bills. It is not uncommon to see insurance companies viewing homes that have experienced flood damage as high risk. As a result, they have the right to appropriately increase your monthly rates according to this information.

The reality that your insurance rates could increase after being denied coverage makes it even more important to understand the difference between flood damage and water damage claims. Many individual homeowners make the mistake of filing claims for costs associated with flood damage, only to find that these costs are not covered. When the bill comes the next month, there is nothing that homeowners can do to bring their rates back down. Therefore, it is important to only file a claim if flood damage is explicitly covered in the homeowners insurance contract. In some cases, it may even be recommended for homeowners to work with an attorney to ensure that it is appropriate to file a water damage claim.