Wind & Storm Damage Restoration
Wind & Storm Damage Restoration in Yakima
The weather in Central Washington can be unpredictable. Whether you lost a few shingles or a tree came through the roof, we tarp it, then we rebuild it.
Chapter 01
Central Washington weather, one cause at a time
Storms and strong winds can damage a property in a lot of different ways. You might lose a few shingles, or face a tree falling through your home. Whatever the severity, acting immediately helps prevent further damage.
Wind and storm damage is often multifaceted. You may be dealing with water, and sometimes fire or smoke on top of it, so the repairs you need can run from minor to severe.
Red composition roof with tree-limb damage and debris after a storm
Tarp and board up first, repair second
When you call, we are available 24/7, we reply within 30 minutes and we are on site in hours. Our first job is to assess the cause, whether it is safe for you to be there, and how many people, children or pets are in the building.
Then we work to prevent further damage: pumping out standing water, removing unsalvageable carpet or drywall, drying with air movers and dehumidifiers, boarding up or tarping exposed areas, and securing the site with perimeter fencing.
Our First Response Cleaning & Restoration Team removes and inventories your belongings first, and restores pictures, furniture, clothing, electronics and other irreplaceable or sentimental items while the building is being restored.
Chapter 03
Reconstruction by the same crew, including the tree
Once we have mitigated as much damage as possible, restoration and reconstruction begin. Baxter Construction is a full-service contractor, equipped for kitchens, bathrooms and living areas, roof and siding repairs, and auxiliary structures like sheds, shops and pumphouses.
We help you keep the insurance documentation your claim needs, and we work through billing with your adjustor.
Family owned in the Yakima Valley since 1995. Many of our personnel are IICRC certified, with background checks, a drug-free workplace and branded vehicles you can recognize at the door. Call (509) 452-2464.
Mitigation vs restoration
When a tree falls on the house, there are two jobs
Mitigation is the process of preventing further damage. Restoration is the process of returning your property to its former state. Using a tree that fell onto a home in a storm or high wind as the example:
Mitigation
- Tarping and boarding up exposed areas like the roof or walls
- Maintaining structural integrity for safety
- Removing and inventorying your possessions
- Addressing any standing water from rain or burst pipes
- Addressing any smoke or fire damage from lightning or electrical malfunction
Restoration
- Clearing unsalvageable materials and debris
- Reconstructing the damaged portions of your home
- Cleaning and repairing your possessions
- Removal of the tree
- Using antimicrobials to prevent mold
Not all Yakima contractors have mitigation and restoration services. At Baxter Construction, we handle both.
For what the rest of the process can include, see our pages on water damage and fire damage.
Common causes
Six kinds of weather we repair after
Rain
From minor roof leaks to flooded basements. Our process usually involves water mitigation, structural repairs and mold remediation.
Mudslides
Hills and mountainsides in the Yakima Valley carry more risk, often after wildfires or rain loosen the soil. Keep yourself safe, and we will handle the damage if it happens.
Lightning
A strike can mean structural fire, fried appliances and electronics, compromised wiring and piping, or shaken brick and stonework. The damage can be subtle, so we assess the whole structure first.
Wind
The roof is the most troublesome area, then chimneys, windows and siding. We usually begin by assessing and tarping off any exposed areas.
Tree Fall
Damage ranges from minimal to severe depending on the tree and how much of the building it touched. If one does come down on your home or business, we can also handle the tree removal.
Freezing Weather
Frozen pipes, leaks and floods, ice storm tree falls, and snow loads that can collapse a roof. We start by turning off utilities, tarping the affected areas and removing water.
Freezing weather
Cold breaks pipes where you do not look
A frozen line can split behind a shower wall or up in the attic and run for a long time before anyone sees it. We suggest keeping your roof maintained, pruning outdoor plants, keeping the home insulated at a consistent temperature, and having someone check on the house periodically if you are away.
