We are well aware that tornadoes wreak havoc and destroy property. If your home ends up in the path of a tornado, what sort of damage might you find? Depending on the severity of a tornado, you might see some very obvious damage, but, even if you didn’t see a lot of damage, there are some areas in the home you would want to check.
Stress cracks are something you should check for. Look at where the walls meet the ceiling to see if you can see any signs of this. Use a level to check that walls and floors have not shifted.
One area of damage that often occurs from a tornado is uprooted trees. These can damage underground gas lines, creating a leak. Its important to check that this hasn’t happened before you turn on the gas in your home.
A house can sustain all kinds of damage from being shaken in a tornado. Plumbing fixtures and pipes could have twisted and cracked. To check these are not leaking, turn on all the faucets in the home and make sure water isn’t running out where it shouldn’t. Look under sinks, cabinets and even ceilings for signs of water leaking. Damage to the foundation is also a possibility. Take a look at the masonry for signs of cracking and check crawlspaces for any changes or damage.
It is likely there will be damage to the roof after a tornado. This is something you will need to fix immediately as the house will be more prone to water damage. This will show up later on in the form of mold and water stains on walls.
If you have a chimney, this is another area that must be checked for damage. Damage to a chimney can be very dangerous as it can hinder proper ventilation, putting the homes occupants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you would like more information on inspecting your home, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Stress cracks are something you should check for. Look at where the walls meet the ceiling to see if you can see any signs of this. Use a level to check that walls and floors have not shifted.
One area of damage that often occurs from a tornado is uprooted trees. These can damage underground gas lines, creating a leak. Its important to check that this hasn’t happened before you turn on the gas in your home.
A house can sustain all kinds of damage from being shaken in a tornado. Plumbing fixtures and pipes could have twisted and cracked. To check these are not leaking, turn on all the faucets in the home and make sure water isn’t running out where it shouldn’t. Look under sinks, cabinets and even ceilings for signs of water leaking. Damage to the foundation is also a possibility. Take a look at the masonry for signs of cracking and check crawlspaces for any changes or damage.
It is likely there will be damage to the roof after a tornado. This is something you will need to fix immediately as the house will be more prone to water damage. This will show up later on in the form of mold and water stains on walls.
If you have a chimney, this is another area that must be checked for damage. Damage to a chimney can be very dangerous as it can hinder proper ventilation, putting the homes occupants at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If you would like more information on inspecting your home, please don’t hesitate to contact us.