Take These Steps to Prevent Your Minneapolis Home from Damage This Storm Season

We’ve already had a number of severe thunderstorms here in the Minneapolis area, and we know from experience the storm season is just beginning.  Hail storms, high winds, and heavy rains often cause damage to Twin Cities homes, so it’s wise to take whatever steps you can to either prevent or minimize damage to your home.  We do offer exterior storm damage repair for components such as siding and windows, but taking a little bit extra precaution might just help you avoid needing our services.

• Make sure your homeowner’s insurance coverage is up to date.  Just as you should have periodic inspections of certain areas of your home to make sure they’re functioning properly, it’s wise to have a check-up of your insurance from time to time.  Things may have changed since you took out the policy.  For example, are you covered in case of a natural disaster like a tornado or flash flooding?  Some areas around Minneapolis and St. Paul do so occasional high waters from heavy rains.  Also, check whether your homeowner’s policy covers replacement value or actual value. If you’ve got an older home, actual value may not do much if your home suffers substantial damage. Work with your agent to see if replacement value might be a better way to go.
• Be familiar with the threats in your area.  Do you live in a wooded neighborhood?  You’re more likely to suffer a fire than someone whose home is out in the open. On the other hand, if your roof is sheltered by surrounding trees, you’re less prone to hail damage.
• Evaluate your home’s exterior.  Do your roof and siding give you the best protection from the most likely storms in our area? Do they fit with our climate conditions?  We install fiber cement siding from The James Hardie Company that is engineered for the hot/cold and precipitation we get here in Minnesota, and we highly recommend it. 
• Have a plan in case the unthinkable happens.  Have your important documents stored off-site in a safe deposit box (or in your home in a fire-proof box), or uploaded to the cloud.  Photos of the current condition of your home – inside and out – as well as its contents – are also helpful in case you need to file a claim.  Also have emergency supplies stashed in an easy-to grab location.
  

We might also add, keep our phone number handy.  In the even you do suffer exterior storm damage, we’ll be there to help you get your home back where it belongs. We are also able to work with your insurance company and handle many details for you.

Window Outfitters, Inc. is a licensed Minnesota exterior home improvement contractor serving the greater Twin Cities metro area. 

 

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.