Storm & Wind Damage Repair in Boise & Nampa, Idaho

Storm and wind damage in the Treasure Valley

Southwest Idaho does not get hurricanes, but it does get sudden, strong wind. Summer thunderstorms can bring microbursts and gusts strong enough to snap trees, peel shingles and throw patio furniture through windows. Spring and fall cold fronts push long periods of high wind across the open ground around Kuna, Star, Caldwell and the rest of Canyon County. Hail shows up a few times most years, and winter brings heavy wet snow, ice dams and the occasional freezing rain. Any of these can open a hole in the roof or walls, and once a home is open to the weather, water damage follows quickly.

What to do in the first hour

1. Stay away from downed power lines. Treat every downed line as live. Call 911 and Idaho Power. Keep people and pets well back, and do not touch a tree or fence that a line is lying on.
2. If a tree hit the house, get everyone out of the rooms beneath it. Do not try to cut or remove a tree resting on the structure yourself; it can shift and bring the roof down.
3. If you smell gas, leave and call 911 and Intermountain Gas from outside.
4. Stop water coming in. Put buckets under drips and move belongings away. If the ceiling is bulging with water, keep clear of it and turn off breakers to lights in that area from a dry spot.
5. Photograph everything from the ground before anything is covered or cleaned up: the roof, siding, windows, fences, vehicles and any fallen trees. Take wide shots and close-ups.
6. Do not climb onto a wet, icy or damaged roof. Falls from roofs are one of the most common storm-cleanup injuries.

Emergency roof tarping and board-up

Most homeowners policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage after a storm. For roof damage, that usually means a professional tarp: a heavy tarp that extends over the ridge, fastened to boards so it does not tear in the next gust, and installed so water sheds off rather than pooling. Broken windows and doors are boarded with plywood. These are temporary repairs meant to hold until the adjuster inspects and permanent repairs are approved.

• Ask for photos of the damage before the tarp goes on, and keep the invoice. Emergency tarping and board-up are commonly reimbursed as part of a covered claim.
• A tarp is not a roof. Plan to have permanent repairs done, especially before snow season.
• If water already got inside, the wet insulation, drywall and flooring need drying as soon as possible. See water damage.

Insurance tips for storm damage in Idaho

• Check your wind and hail deductible. Some policies use a separate deductible for wind or hail, sometimes a percentage of the home's insured value instead of a flat amount.
• Wind versus water. Rain that gets in through an opening the wind created is usually covered. Water that seeps in through an old, worn roof without storm damage often is not.
• Trees. A tree that falls on the house is usually covered, including removal from the structure. A tree that falls in the yard without hitting anything may have limited coverage.
• Report promptly and keep a log of calls, claim numbers and receipts for tarps, boards, hotel nights and chainsaw rental.
• Be wary of door-to-door "storm chasers" after big wind or hail events. Do not sign anything on the spot, never pay large amounts up front, and look up the contractor's registration with the Idaho Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL). Read any document that assigns your insurance benefits to someone else.
• The Idaho Department of Insurance can help if you have trouble with a claim.

Questions to ask before hiring

• Are you registered with DOPL, and can you give me a certificate of insurance?
• Will you photograph the damage before tarping, and send me the photos?
• Is the tarp price separate from the permanent repair estimate?
• Who pulls the permit for permanent roof or structural repairs?

This site connects you with independent local contractors. We do not perform, inspect or guarantee the work.

Services

Areas served

We take requests from across the Treasure Valley and nearby: Boise · Nampa · Meridian · Eagle · Star · Kuna · Caldwell · Middleton · Emmett · Parma · Homedale · Melba · Fruitland & Payette · Garden Valley, plus Garden City, Notus, Wilder, Greenleaf and other nearby towns. See all service areas. Outlying towns may have longer response times.

Frequently asked questions

How much does storm damage repair cost in the Boise area?

It depends on the size of the affected area, how long the damage sat, and what has to be removed or rebuilt. A contractor should inspect and give you a written estimate; many sudden losses are covered by homeowners insurance after your deductible.

Can I get storm damage repair help in Nampa?

Yes. Requests from Nampa, Boise, Meridian, Caldwell and nearby towns are passed to a local restoration company that serves that area.