After a Hurricane: What to Check and When to Call a Home Inspector

Safety first

After a storm, stay away from downed power lines and standing water that could be touching electrical lines. Don't go up on the roof. If water reached outlets, the electrical panel or appliances, have a licensed electrician check them before you turn the power back on. If you smell gas, leave the home and call your gas company.

Document everything

Before you clean up or make repairs, take photos and videos of every room, the roof from the ground, the outside walls, windows, doors, fences and anything damaged. Keep receipts for emergency repairs, like tarps or boarding up a window. Your insurer will want to see the damage and what you did to protect the home from more damage.

Report the damage to your insurance company as soon as you can, and read your policy for deadlines. Florida has time limits for filing a claim.

What to check on the outside

Roof: missing or lifted shingles, broken tiles, damaged flashing, and debris on the roof. Look from the ground or use binoculars.

Windows and doors: cracked glass, damaged frames, and water coming in around them.

Walls and soffits: damaged stucco, missing soffit panels and gaps where water could get in.

AC unit: moved, tilted or damaged by debris. Don't run it if it was under water.

Drainage: standing water against the foundation.

What to check on the inside

Look for water stains on ceilings, wet carpet or flooring, damp walls, swollen baseboards and a musty smell. Check the attic if you can safely reach it, because a roof leak often shows up there first. Wet materials should be dried quickly. The longer they stay wet, the more likely mold becomes.

When to call a home inspector

You see signs of water coming in but can't find where it's coming from. A moisture meter and a thermal imaging camera can find hidden water behind walls and ceilings.

You want a written record of the condition of the home with photos, for your insurer or for your own records.

You're buying a home after a storm. Make sure storm damage wasn't just painted over.

You're not sure if the damage is serious. An inspector can tell you what needs a roofer, an electrician or another contractor.

We're certified by InterNACHI as Post-Hurricane Building Safety Inspectors, and we know what storms do to South Florida homes.

Be careful who you hire

After every big storm, unlicensed contractors show up. Before you hire anyone for repairs, check their license. Our guide to checking a contractor's license in Florida shows you how.

Before the next storm

A wind mitigation inspection shows which features protect your home, and which upgrades could protect it better and lower your premium.