4 Pro Tips to Spot Hidden Damage After a Storm
/After a storm passes, the damage you can see is just the beginning. Most homeowners only notice obvious problems like broken windows or missing roof shingles, but storms often cause hidden damage that can cost thousands to repair. Learning how to spot this hidden damage ensures you get full compensation from your insurance company and prevents small problems from becoming expensive disasters later.
Find Every Bit of Storm Damage: 4 Simple Ways to Look
Storms cause lots of hidden damage that you might not notice right away. Insurance companies only pay for damage you can prove, so finding all the damage is very important. Missing hidden damage means you might pay thousands of dollars out of your own pocket later. These four easy steps help you find everything so you get paid for all your storm damage.
Pro Tip #1: Check Walls and Foundation for Cracks
Look for Small Cracks That Mean Big Problems
Walk around your house and look carefully at all the walls and foundation. Storm winds and ground movement can create small cracks that turn into big expensive problems later. Look for hairline cracks in walls, especially near windows and doors where the house moves the most during storms.
Check your basement or crawl space for new cracks in the foundation walls. Even tiny cracks can let water in and cause major damage over time. Look at both the inside and outside of your foundation walls. Use a flashlight to see cracks that might be hard to spot in dim light.
Take photos of any cracks you find, even small ones. Put a coin or ruler next to the crack so insurance adjusters can see how big it is. Mark the date on your photos so you can prove the cracks happened during the storm, not from normal house settling.
Pro Tip #2: Contact Global Patriot Adjusters for Professional Hidden Damage Detection
Get Expert Help Finding What You Can't See
Hidden storm damage requires special equipment and training to find properly. Our team at Global Patriot Adjusters uses professional tools like moisture meters and thermal cameras to find damage that regular homeowners can't see.
We know exactly where storms typically cause hidden damage and what to look for. Our licensed adjusters find problems like water damage inside walls, roof damage above ceilings, and structural issues that aren't obvious from the ground. Insurance company adjusters often miss this hidden damage because they don't look hard enough.
Call Global Patriot Adjusters Now: Call 1-800-654-3041
Don't let hidden storm damage cost you thousands later. Our storm damage specialists use professional equipment to find every bit of damage and get you maximum compensation. We work on contingency—you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. Call now for complete storm damage assessment.
We've helped homeowners discover tens of thousands of dollars in hidden damage that insurance companies initially missed. One Texas family found $45,000 in hidden structural damage after we used thermal imaging to detect problems inside their walls. Professional detection ensures you don't miss valuable parts of your claim.
Pro Tip #3: Inspect Your Attic and Roof Areas
Look Up High Where Damage Hides
Your attic is where lots of storm damage hides because most people don't go up there very often. Climb into your attic with a good flashlight and look for water stains, wet insulation, or daylight coming through where it shouldn't. Even small roof leaks can cause thousands in damage if they're not found quickly.
Look at the roof from the outside too, but be very careful. Use binoculars from the ground if possible instead of climbing on the roof. Look for loose or missing shingles, bent gutters, or damaged vents. Storm winds can loosen shingles that look fine from far away but will leak during the next rain.
Check your insulation in the attic for signs of water damage. Wet insulation needs to be replaced and often means you have roof leaks. Look for dark spots on the ceiling inside your house—these usually mean water is getting in from above.
Pro Tip #4: Test Windows and Doors for Problems
Check if Everything Still Works Right
Storm winds can twist your house slightly and cause windows and doors to not work properly anymore. Try opening and closing every window and door in your house. If they stick, don't close all the way, or have gaps around the edges, the storm might have shifted your house frame.
Look closely at the frames around windows and doors for cracks or separation. Storm damage can cause these frames to pull away from the walls slightly. Check if locks still work properly—doors and windows that don't lock right might have frame damage.
Feel around windows and doors for air leaks that weren't there before the storm. New air leaks often mean the seals got damaged or the frames shifted. These problems let air and water in, which costs you money on heating and cooling bills and can cause more damage over time.
Pro Tip #5: Have a Public Adjuster Find What You Miss
Get Professional Eyes on Your Property
Even careful homeowners miss important damage that costs thousands to fix later. Public adjusters have special training and equipment to find hidden damage that regular people can't see. We know all the places storms typically cause problems and exactly what to look for.
Our professional inspection includes moisture detection behind walls, structural assessment of your foundation and framing, and detailed roof analysis using special equipment. We often find damage that insurance company adjusters miss because we spend more time and use better tools.
Global Patriot Adjusters creates detailed reports with photos and documentation that insurance companies can't ignore. We know how to present hidden damage findings in ways that get you paid for everything that needs to be fixed.
Don't Miss Valuable Storm Damage
Hidden storm damage can cost you thousands if you don't find it quickly and include it in your insurance claim. By checking for cracks, getting professional help, inspecting high areas, testing windows and doors, and working with experts, you make sure nothing gets missed.
Remember that insurance companies won't pay for damage you can't prove. The sooner you find all your storm damage, the better your chances of getting full compensation. Contact Global Patriot Adjusters immediately after any storm for professional hidden damage detection that protects your investment and maximizes your claim.
