What to Do If Your Siding is Damaged by Bad Weather
May 20, 2014Summer is storm season here in Kansas, and that means that homeowners are bracing themselves for bad weather. Thunderstorms, torrential rain, hail, even tornadoes, they’re all part of a typical Kansas summer, and while not every home gets hit with destructive weather, we’re always aware that this might be our year. Fortunately, even if your home does get damaged in a storm, you’re not sunk. Here’s a handy guide to just what those storms can do to your siding, and what your next step is if they do:
Storms are no picnic, and even the most well-protected house can sometimes come out the other side of them worse for the wear. Hail may punch holes in vinyl siding or dent aluminum, and destructive winds can cause siding to crack, chip, warp, or even break. Kansas is known for our strong winds, and tornadoes or powerful enough wind gusts have been known to peel siding straight off a wall. Chances are, though, your house will come out the side of even a rough summer storm with the siding just a little beat up, not entirely gone.
Whatever state your siding is in, though, if your house needs help after being damaged by a storm, your first step is to file a claim with your insurance agent. Go through your agent, rather than reporting directly to your insurance company. Your insurance agent can help you determine the nature of the claim you need to file, and walk you through what the best steps are to file the claim to your optimal advantage. Calling the insurance company directly will probably just result in you spending more time on the phone to less result, and too many claims can even lead to increased insurance premiums or being dropped from insurance entirely. Calling your agent will help protect you, and also make sure that you’re getting the coverage that you deserve.
When getting an estimate from a contractor, beware of “storm chasers,” fly-by-night contractors that follow severe weather from place to place, offering lowball bids and completing shoddy work before moving on. Siding repair isn’t something that you want to have handled by just anyone. Make sure you get your bids from a reputable local contractor who can see to it that the work is done right, and who’ll be around down the road if there are any problems.
Continental Siding has been a leader in siding and other home improvement products and services in the Kansas City area since 1982. We know what Kansas storms are capable of, and we know how to get your home back to ship-shape quickly, affordably, and—maybe most important—we know how to make sure it’ll stay that way for years to come.
Our top-of-the-line vinyl and polymer siding are impact and weather resistant, energy efficient, and can provide your home the best of both appearance and protection. So if your home has been damaged by severe weather this summer, call your insurance agent, and then call Continental Siding, and let us do the rest!
This article was brought to you by Continental Siding in Kansas City, your Midwest siding company. We’re a leading provider of home improvement products and services that aim to help them keep homes looking great and performing well.
