Your home is supposed to be a sanctuary – a shelter in the storm. But all too often a blizzard, flood or other severe weather event can penetrate that sanctuary, and the aftermath isn’t pretty. At Paul Davis Restoration of Central Illinois, we’ve seen even sturdy, well-maintained properties sustain serious damage in stormy weather. And we’re not talking just about blizzards and rainstorms. Once a home is opened to the elements, things can rapidly get worse. That’s why it’s so important to repair storm-related damage ASAP. Here’s a list of the most common ways a house can be infiltrated by the outside world in a storm.

1. Clogged Gutters

A mixture of fast wind and hard rain can strip trees of twigs and leaves in minutes. All this vegetation can create a real logjam in your gutters. When water can no longer drain through your downspouts, it has to go somewhere. Most of it will pour over the edge of your gutters. That’s bad news if you live in an area like North Texas with unstable soil that’s prone to foundation problems. It’s also unfortunate if you have a basement since waterlogged soil contributes to seepage. Of course, the rainwater that doesn’t flow over the side of the gutters may back up into any cracks and crevices in your home’s eaves. The wood will swell as it gets wet and then shrink again as it dries. Each time this happens, the cracks and areas of rot get bigger. That’s a welcome sight for termites and other wood-eating insects!

2. Backed Up Sewers

Sewage backup is by far the nastiest storm disaster. Torrential rains, hurricanes and spring flooding are all culprits in overloading or blocking storm drains and sewer systems. Mold isn’t the only problem you have to worry about when you get sewage backup in your home. Untreated water is often teeming with bacteria. If a sewer in your neighborhood is backed up, immediately plug up all your drains (including the toilet). These are the prime entry points for sewage infiltration. Should your home become contaminated by sewage, it’s important to call a qualified restoration professional. Paul Davis Restoration of Central Illinois can help!

3. Muddy Footprints

Sometimes, the one bringing the stormy mess inside is you! It’s hard not to track wet soil indoors when it’s everywhere. If you do end up with sludge in your house, get a professional to look at the dirty areas. Some soils contain lots of iron, which causes staining. Other kinds of dirt are filled with grit, which can tear up your carpets if you let it get ground in. Correct cleanup from mud damage will depend on what type of soil you have in your area.

4. Rising Waters

Coastal regions, the Great Lakes and low-lying areas along the Mississippi and Missouri rivers are frequent sites of storm-related flooding. Rising waters from a flash flood make a big splash (no pun intended), but a rising water table underground can also cause flooding in your basement. Pay attention to the total amount of rainfall and snowmelt occurring in your area to gauge your risk for flooding. Use the National Weather Service to check for flash flood warnings in your area.

5. High Winds

In the most extreme winds, your shingles may achieve lift off. This doesn’t just happen during hurricanes. Straight-line winds speeding by at 100 mph have also been documented in flat states like [Kansas]. Incorrect installation (particularly the placement of nails) is a common cause of asphalt shingle loss during high winds. Check your roof after a windstorm, paying close attention to the edges of the roofline where shingles are most vulnerable.

6. Firestorm

Wildfires driven by windstorms don’t have to burn down your walls or roof to infiltrate your home. The ash, soot and smoke can get inside your house anyway. Keeping your windows and doors closed may help a little. However, your HVAC system will still be pulling in air from outdoors. Once the smoke clears, you should call a professional restoration company to do cleanup. This prevents you from further damaging your property with improper cleaning techniques. It’s easy to accidentally rub soot further into delicate upholstery or carpeting. Smoke tends to get trapped in porous materials and can release odor for years if it’s not removed the right way.

7. Falling Trees

In a windstorm or a tornado, trees are often unavoidable casualties. A heavy tree limb or an entire uprooted sapling can pierce through a roof with enough force to reach all the way into the attic. Even smaller branches can damage shingles – leading to insidious leaks that develop slowly over time. Either way, you can end up with mold in your attic insulation. Limit your home’s risk of tree damage by keeping branches trimmed at least 3 feet away from your roof.

8. Broken Windows

You may have heard that the sudden drop in air pressure during a hurricane can cause windows to explode. That’s a dramatic idea, but flying debris is the usual culprit when your windows end up broken in a storm. Golf ball-sized hail that’s driven sideways by the wind can also crack your windows. Even if a window isn’t broken, the seal around the window may be damaged by severe weather. This makes windows a prime entry point for moisture that leads to mildew.

9. Busted Pipes

If you live up in one of the northern states, you probably know what it’s like to have a blizzard bust your pipes. It’s too darn cold to air out the house and you can’t necessarily get a plumber to your home in the middle of a snowstorm. The best you can do is turn off the water and try to soak up any standing puddles. Areas of carpeting are at special risk since they absorb water into the carpet fibers and padding. If the pipe bursts inside a wall, that’s even worse since you can do little to remedy the situation. A plumber can fix the leak, but that doesn’t repair the water damage that’s already been done. That’s why it’s so important to call a restoration firm as well as a plumber after a pipe leak.

10. Scared Rodents

People and pets aren’t the only ones seeking a safe place to hide in a hurricane or a blizzard. Birds, raccoons, mice, squirrels and snakes may all be looking for ways into your home during a storm. An improperly maintained chimney or a missing fascia vent is all they need to infiltrate your attic. Once they move down into your walls, you’re in real trouble. The sooner you get them cleared out (along with their droppings and nesting materials), the better.

Paul Davis Restoration of Central Illinois serves Bloomington/Normal, Peoria, Morton and other surrounding communities.