How Does My Wind Damage Need Photos Before Cleanup Starts?

Thorough photos create a baseline record of the damage exactly as it happened. This evidence shows your insurer what was harmed and the extent of the loss. Without it, you have only your own description, which may not be enough for the claims adjuster. Clear documentation supports your request for appropriate coverage for repairs.

Starting cleanup before photographing can remove signs of how the damage occurred. For instance, debris patterns can show wind direction and force. Water intrusion points from broken windows or a damaged roof are critical to capture. Once these are cleaned, proving the cause becomes much harder for your claim.

Use the highest quality setting on your phone or camera. Ensure good lighting by turning on indoor lights or shooting during daylight. Avoid using flash if it creates glare on wet surfaces. Hold the camera steady, and take multiple photos to ensure you have clear, usable images from each important angle.

Include a common object, like a ruler or a coin, in some close-up shots for scale. This helps convey the size of holes, cracks, or water spread. Store these photos in at least two places, like a cloud service and an external drive.

If you need to make emergency repairs to prevent further damage, take photos first. For example, if a window is broken, photograph the shattered glass and the rain coming in before covering it. This documents the immediate cause of water intrusion. Only perform repairs that are safe for you to do without professional help.

For major structural issues like a compromised roof, do not put yourself at risk. Take ground-level photos showing the visible damage. Then, contact qualified local water damage pros for emergency board-up or tarping services. They can make the property safe while preserving the state of the damage for assessment.