Have you ever been affected by storm damage? In addition to being destructive, a storm causes a lot of mess on your property.

Debris, shattered glass, broken trees, and more are unavoidable aftermath of tornadoes, hurricanes, typhoons, and other storms.

It’s probably just as tough to restore your home or business as it is when you’re trying to restore your faith in humanity after a tragedy strikes.

So, even if it wasn’t your house that was hit by the storm, you can still help those affected by lending a hand in property cleanout.

Follow these steps to clean up safely and efficiently after a storm: 

1. Safety first

Ensure you and your family are safe and that there is no danger of additional house damage before you begin cleaning up.

2. Document everything

Document all damage; take pictures of the exterior of your house before you begin cleaning and repairing it. This will help with insurance claims. Make sure to move debris blocking exits carefully and avoid standing water, which may be hiding live wires.

It’s always better to leave cleanup services to a professional junk removal company that can conduct a thorough cleanout within a few hours, ensuring utmost safety.

Also, keep receipts for any costs incurred during cleanup so they can be reimbursed later by insurance companies.

3. Remove excess water

If there is water damage, you’ll need to address it promptly. If left untreated, water damage can cause wood rot, rusting of internal parts, and mold growth. As time passes, structural integrity is compromised even more. The longer you wait after the storm, the more extensive repairs will be required down the road.

Remove any excess water by mopping and blotting, then use towels to dry wet areas of your home and furniture. If there is water pooling in low-lying areas around the house, use sandbags or dirt to fill them in until they drain. Otherwise, water may seep into your basement or crawlspace and cause damage to your foundation.

4. Clear out the refrigerator

If your power was out for even a few hours, it’s likely that the food in your refrigerator has spoiled. Remove all food and dispose of it safely– if possible, in sealed bags to prevent attracting animals.

Before replacing the food in your fridge, clean any residue from spills with soap and water and let everything dry completely before plugging in the fridge again. If you have any doubts about the safety of your food, throw it out rather than risk illness.

5. Remove damaged items

Throw away anything that can’t be salvaged by cleaning or repairing it. Remove any fallen trees or tree limbs from the yard that could pose a safety hazard or block roads; however, do not attempt to remove large trees on your own.

Instead, hire our professionals for junk removal services in Milwaukee to help you clean up storm damage. We have the proper tools and training to remove fallen trees and debris safely without causing further damage to the property.

UJUNKY offers reliable commercial and residential junk removal in Milwaukee, including basement cleanouts, furniture and appliance removals, yard waste removal, and more.

Get in touch with us for more information today!