Spring is the season when nature wakes back up after a long winter's nap and everything begins growing again, fresh and new. Spring is also the season here in the Midwest that brings stormy weather along with it. Tornadoes, hail, lighting, and other natural occurrences can be dangerous, and our Missouri storm damage experts witness a lot of damage to buildings in the areas that are hit.


Midwest Renovation has a Certified Storm Damage Division, as well as a Certified Catastrophe Assessment Team that can assess the damage done to your home or office by a storm and give you an estimate as to what it will take to fix any problems found. This inspection is done at no cost or obligation to you, and we will work with any insurance company to get the job done.

Tornadoes are a big threat in the Midwest between the months of March-May. Weather alerts are great for keeping you prepared, but sometimes bad weather strikes quickly and with little or no warning. If you make plans now, before an emergency situation, you have a better chance of getting through it safely and confidently. 

Before A Tornado

• Have an emergency kit ready
  You may have to take shelter for a lengthened period of time, and you may be without power for a while once the storm passes. Having an emergency kit handy with the following items can be very helpful.
• water
• canned or dried food
• battery powered radio
• extra batteries
• first aid kit
• candles and matches
  
  
• Have an emergency plan prepared
  At both home and at work, have a plan in place so that everyone knows where to go in case of an emergency for shelter. Also make sure everyone knows what to do in case they are separated from everyone else.
  
• Charge your cell phone
  If you know that weather that could cause power outages is a possibility, make sure your cell phone is fully charged, and if you have backup power banks, charge those too. You may need to call for help during or immediately after the storm.
  
• Keep yard clear of debris
  Dead trees can easily be blown over during high winds, and any fallen branches or other loose items outside can be blown into the building, breaking windows and causing holes. Keep your yard clean and free of these things to lessen the possibility of damage during a storm. 

During A Tornado

• Get to a safe room
  The safest place to be during a tornado is on the lowest level of the building, preferably below ground, like a basement or storm cellar. A small interior room with no windows, such as a hallway, closet, or bathroom, can work too. Keep away from outside walls, doors, and windows.  
  
• Get dressed
  You don't want to get caught in your pajamas and socks if a part of your building is torn away and the rain and wind come inside. Even if it's the middle of the night and you're not completely dressed in daytime clothing, at least have on a pair of sturdy shoes in case you have to get away from a damaged building quickly.

After A Tornado 

• Alert family & friends
  Let anyone that may be worried about you know that you are safe after a big storm.
  
  
• Stay out of damaged buildings
  What looks like a small amount of damage could pose hidden dangers. If any damage at all has happened to a building, stay out until it can properly be inspected and approved for re-entry.
  
• Watch for debris and downed power lines
  When you go outside of the building, keep an eye out for any debris that has landed in a way that could still pose a threat. There may also be downed power lines or exposed wires. Make sure the proper authorities are aware of these and stay a safe distance away from them.
  
  
• Take photos of the damage
  It may take a little time to get someone from the insurance company out to take a look at the damage done to your property, especially if a lot of buildings in your area have been affected. Take pictures of everything right after the event, after the area has been deemed safe, so that you have a record of the damage.
   
• Call Midwest Renovation
  Our Missouri renovation company has local offices all around the state, and we have people on staff that have worked in both the roofing industry and the insurance industry. They know the best approach to take to make sure everything happens quickly, effectively, and with 100% customer satisfaction. Our storm damage inspectors are highly trained, and we require them to pass a rigorous certification process before we'll allow them out into the field. 

Last week Midwest Renovation's blog covered some common reasons that your roof might leak. This week we are going to share a few of the dangers that a leaky roof can cause for both you and the building you are in, home or office. Our team of storm damage experts in mid-Missouri know what to look for to keep you safe, and how to fix any problems that they may find before anyone gets hurt. 



Attic and Ceiling Damage
It will come as no surprise that a leak coming from the roof of a building is bad news for the top of it, namely the attic and upper ceiling. Attics are a prime space to store items that you don't use on a daily basis, and when water finds its way into one, not only is the room in danger of being ruined, but so are the entire contents of that room. 

When the various pieces of this upper floor become damaged, such as the ceiling joists, rafters, and even the wall framing, the building does not retain the strength needed to keep it standing as it should. Once things begin rotting and deteriorating, the structure can be in danger of collapsing. 

Mold and Mildew
When warmth, humidity, and organic materials are present, mold and mildew are very likely to begin growing. Once these are inside your home, they can spread throughout the rest of the house via the HVAC system, settling in carpets, furniture, and even clothing, where they will keep growing and spreading. Mold is very hard to get rid of completely once it is present, and it can be extremely expensive to remove.  

Black mold is the most dangerous type that can form in a building. Non-toxic black mold ruins the various parts that make up your home, and toxic black mold, which is rare but does occur, attacks the people inside. A few of the health problems that it can cause are: 

• fatigue
• cold & flu symptoms
• sore throats
• headaches
• rashes, muscle aches and fatigue
• respiratory problems

Additional Building Dangers
In addition to the structural damage we spoke of earlier, roof leaks are also notorious for finding their way to the wiring in your home, which can pose the danger of shorting out the electric and even the possibility of an electrical fire. Insulation will also become deteriorated when it gets wet. This will cause it to be ineffective, reducing its energy efficiency and raising the cost of utility bills.  

Additional Personal Dangers
Anyone inside of a building with the problems listed above is in harm's way. The structural damage makes it dangerous to be inside the home at all, and there is always the possibility of getting shocked or burnt when the interior wiring gets wet. Puddles of water also raise the risk of residents slipping, falling, and hurting themselves. 



The team at our renovation company covering Missouri is professionally trained and certified to search for leaks before they are a problem, and also to fix any problems that are already there. Inspections are always completed at no cost or obligation to you, and we'll go over all of the details with you before any work begins. Midwest Renovation is here to keep your home or office in it's best shape and to keep everyone inside safe and sound.  



Jefferson City, MO 65109

Midwest Renovation is proud of our diverse capabilities and impeccable business practices. While we are considered the storm damage experts in mid-Missouri, we also provide a multitude of construction services for both residential homes and commercial buildings. Our central Missouri construction services company sees all of our projects through from the very beginning through a follow-up after the job is complete. 


Residential Construction
Any type of construction that is done to a place that people call home falls under the realm of residential construction. Whether you are repairing damage to the dwelling, renovating a room, or building a brand new house, Midwest Renovation can help. With every project that we take on, we begin with a free consultation where we analyze exactly what needs to be done. Our team then works together to complete construction in the most efficient and cost effective way.   

Commercial Construction
We go through the same detailed process when we work on large buildings that contain businesses. These projects are much larger in scale, but our talented team is able to take on all types of construction services, no matter how big or how small.


A few of the services that we offer for both residential and commercial construction include: 

• Wood & Metal Framing & Drywall: We will determine the best choice for building your interior walls. 
• Wall Vinyl, & Painting: Not only can we build the wall, but also take care of the wall covering too. 
• Demolition: We have the capability of taking down whatever is standing in the way of a new build.  
• Roofing Systems: Roofs installed that are designed to last and add to the visual appeal of a building.
• Doors & Windows: We proudly use ViWinTech products. 
• Remodels: When you are ready to make some improvements, we can take care of any project in any room.
• HVAC Systems: Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, both newly installed and updated. 
• Exterior Siding: Damaged siding replaced or entire buildings newly covered.
• Electrical & Plumbing: These include lighting, installations, and more.  

Storm damage in Missouri to homes and other buildings comes with the territory when you choose to live in this part of the country. Acts of nature cannot be avoided, but there are people that know how to take care of storm damage for you in the most efficient and cost-effective ways possible. Midwest Renovation staffs the most skilled storm damage experts in mid-Missouri.


Types of Storm Damage
You won't be witnessing the immediate effects of any hurricanes in this part of the country, but there are lots of other natural disasters that can threaten the stability of your home or place of business. Midwest Renovation knows how to take care of all of the problems that the following storms can cause. 

Thunderstorms
Heavy rains, especially if they last more than a day, can do a variety of damage to your home. Without proper drainage, there is always the chance for flooding. Water, over time, can also work its way into the materials that your home is made of, like caulking and other sealants, breaking them down and causing them to not do their job. Then comes the threat of mold building up once the water gets inside and sits.  

Lightening can also be a thunderstorm threat. It can strike trees near your home and cause them to break through the roof or windows. If the lightening should strike the building directly, flammable building materials could catch fire. There is also the risk of the electrical wiring getting hit and causing a power surge throughout the building.  

Winter Storms
Excessive snow built up on your roof can cause damage if it gets too heavy. Also, as it melts, the water can find even the smallest cracks and cause leaks. Often, deterioration from leaks will go unnoticed until the problem is a big one. 

Another thing that can occur with heavy snow is ice dams. These form when the snow on your roof melts, then refreezes. The ice makes barriers that trap melting snow and leave it nowhere to go but inside your home. 

Hail Damage
Frozen raindrops are a huge problem in Missouri. Your roof is directly in their path, and that area of your home is too high for you to keep a regular eye on. After a hail storm, it's always a good idea to call our storm damage experts in Jefferson City and let us take a look at it for you. An inspection shows things like soft spots on the shingles that aren't easily seen by the naked eye. 

Hail is also rough on the other outdoor parts of a building. It can leave dents in siding, cause damage to gutters, and even shatter windows. If you notice excessive damage to trees around the building, there's an excellent chance that something on your home could be torn up too. 

Tornadoes
Tornadoes and extremely high winds are a fact of life in Missouri. It can cause large tree limbs, and other objects, to fly directly into a building, and sometimes even through it. Shingles can also be ripped up and torn off, as well as the siding too. Another risk is having winds that are strong enough to blow rain sideways and at an upward angle, causing the rain to work its way under shingles and door/window frames.


Let Us Inspect Your Storm Damage For FREE
Our storm damage inspections are always completed at NO COST or obligation to you. Unlike most companies, we have team members that have worked in both the roofing and insurance industries, so we know how everything needs to happen from every possible angle. 

Our certified storm damage inspectors in Jefferson City travel all over Missouri, and we can work with any insurance company. If your insurance does not cover all of the damage repairs, we can finance any portion of your deductible for up to 12 months with 0% interest!    

Give us a call if you have or suspect any type of storm damage. You can reach us 24 hours a day. We will dispatch one of our storm damage inspectors to your home or place of business. All of the details will be covered by us at Midwest Renovation, even before any work begins. It's as simple as picking up the phone and reaching out. One call does it all!