Get your home secured after a storm
If wind, hail or a falling tree broke a window or opened your roof and rain is getting in, call us and a real person answers 24/7 and sends a crew to cover the openings.
Storm damage repair starts with emergency board up, which means covering broken windows, doors and roof openings so weather and intruders stay out. When you call Kodiak Restoration in Chicago, a real person answers 24/7 and we send a crew to secure the property, dry out water that got in, document the damage for your adjuster and handle repairs.
- A real person answers 24/7
- Photos and moisture readings for your claim
- One team from dry-out to rebuild
- [LICENSED AND INSURED: CONFIRM]
When should you call us?
- A tree or large limb fell on your house or garage
- Wind or hail broke windows, siding or roofing
- Rain is coming in through a damaged roof or wall
- A door or window will not close or lock after a storm
- A ceiling is stained or sagging after a storm
- A fire or break-in left a window or door open
What can you do right now?
- Call 911 if anyone is hurt, and leave right away if you smell gas.
- Stay away from downed power lines and anything touching them, and report them to the utility company.
- Stay out of rooms with sagging ceilings or other structural damage.
- Watch for broken glass and exposed nails, and wear sturdy shoes and work gloves.
- Photograph the damage, and call 311 to report fallen trees or limbs.
If anyone is hurt, you smell gas or there is fire, call 911 first.
Here is what we do, step by step
Answer and dispatch
A real person answers 24/7 and sends a crew with plywood, tarps and drying equipment.
Secure openings
We board up broken windows and doors and cover roof and wall openings to keep weather and intruders out.
Document the damage
We photograph the outside and inside damage and take moisture readings wherever water got in.
Dry what got wet
We remove water and wet materials and dry the structure so the storm damage does not turn into a mold problem.
Coordinate the claim
We write the repair estimate in the estimating software insurance companies use and work with your adjuster.
Repair and rebuild
The same team handles the repairs and sends you updates until the work is finished.
How does insurance usually handle this?
Triple-I lists windstorm, hail, lightning, falling objects and the weight of ice, snow or sleet among the causes of damage covered by common homeowners policy forms, though some policies have a separate hail deductible or limits on wind coverage. If a tree falls on your house, Triple-I says the roof damage is covered and removal of the tree is generally covered up to a $500 limit. Check your own policy and talk to your agent or adjuster about what applies.
This is general information, not insurance advice. We are glad to walk you through what we see and what to ask your insurer.
How claims work with usTalk to a person now
We answer 24/7. Tell us what happened and we will tell you what happens next.
Call [TRACKING NUMBER]Questions about storm damage and board-up
What is emergency board up?
Emergency board up means covering broken windows, doors and other openings with plywood or tarps right after damage, so rain, wind and intruders stay out. Triple-I advises taking reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage, and notes that payments for temporary repairs are part of your total settlement. Keep the receipts.
Should I wait for the adjuster before covering the damage?
Cover it now. Triple-I advises taking reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage right away and saving receipts. What should wait is extensive permanent repair work, which Triple-I says to hold until the claims adjuster has assessed the damage. Photograph everything before and after the temporary repairs.
A tree fell on my house. What happens now?
Get everyone out of the damaged area and stay clear of any power lines tangled in the tree. If the tree is still on the roof, a tree service will need to remove it before the opening can be fully covered. Triple-I notes that homeowners policies generally cover the roof damage and tree removal up to a $500 limit.
What is the difference between storm damage and flood damage for insurance?
Triple-I says standard homeowners policies cover damage from windstorms and hail, while flood damage is excluded and needs a separate flood policy. Flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period before it takes effect. Tell your adjuster exactly how the water got in, and photograph the openings.
What should I watch out for after a storm?
The National Weather Service advises staying out of damaged buildings, keeping clear of downed power lines and anything touching them, and watching for broken glass and exposed nails. If you smell gas, turn off the main gas valve if you can, open the windows and leave the house. Report fallen trees, flooded streets and clogged catch basins to 311.
Do you board up after fires and break-ins too?
Yes. Any time a broken window, door or wall leaves a property open, we can board it up. After a fire, the U.S. Fire Administration notes you may need to board up so no one can get in, and to let the police know if the home will be empty.
Related services
Water Damage Restoration
Leaks, overflows and water in floors, walls or ceilings.
Learn moreReconstruction and Repairs
Drywall, flooring, paint and repairs after the cleanup.
Learn moreFire Damage Restoration
Securing, cleaning and repairing a home after a fire.
Learn moreHelpful guides
Sources
- What to Do After Severe Weather (National Weather Service)
- Safety After the Storm (National Weather Service)
- Thunderstorm Safety (American Red Cross)
- Checking Your Home After A Fire (American Red Cross)
- Cleaning Up After A Fire (American Red Cross)
- Safety Guidelines: Reentering Your Flooded Home (CDC)
- Severe Weather/Flooding (City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications)
- After the Fire: Returning to Normal, FA-46 (U.S. Fire Administration)
- Am I Covered? (Triple-I)
- Which disasters are covered by homeowners insurance? (Triple-I)
- Settling insurance claims after a disaster (Triple-I)
- Facts about flood insurance (Triple-I)
- A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home (US EPA)