Hurricanes are certain when living in Tampa, but the damage they can cause is incredibly variable. Working with a leading Tampa association management company like Wise Property Management can take some of that uncertainty away. With Wise, your association will have a reliable plan in place to ensure damage post-storm does not leave your board with more questions than answers after a hurricane hits.
As part of our leading condominium management services in Tampa, our team has put together the following comprehensive checklist to ensure these most common issues and repairs are addressed after a hurricane.
Exterior Inspection
After a hurricane, one of the first things your board should assess is damage to the exterior of your condominiums. Inspect the roofs for missing shingles, damaged flashing that surrounds direct access points into your home, and signs of leaks. Clean gutters and downspouts of debris to ensure there is no backup to allow water to flow away from the buildings if any additional rain comes.
Check exterior walls for cracks, loose siding, or damage, and inspect windows for cracks, broken panes, or damaged frames. It is also important to check damage to trees, shrubs, and plants to ensure nothing needs to be tended to immediately and to clean debris from sidewalks, driveways, and common areas.
Interior Inspection
After assessing the outside, an interior inspection will reveal if there is anything pressing to repair on the inside of the condos. It is important to do this regardless of what the exterior inspection revealed. During a flood, for example, the exterior of your condo may be secure, but the interior may have damage due to water. Checking ceilings, walls, and floors for signs of water stains or discoloration along with looking for mold growth can help you detect water damage.
In addition to watermarks, inspecting walls, ceilings, and floors for cracks or shifting can reveal structural integrity damage caused by a hurricane. It is also important to inspect electrical systems. Test light switches, outlets, and appliances for functionality and inspect circuit breakers or fuse boxes for signs of water damage.
Utilities
The last main area to check is utilities. First, inspect the plumbing for leaks or burst pipes, and test the water pressure and heaters. Next, examine the outdoor HVAC systems for damage and debris, and ensure that the heating and cooling systems function properly. Additionally, it is crucial to check for any gas leaks. Verify that the gas line is undamaged and that all gas appliances are operating properly.
Documentation and Reporting
After all units have been thoroughly inspected, be sure to document anything that is found to need repairs. This is important so you can keep track of the severity of damage and the priority of the repair order. Our team recommends this report include damage assessments and repair recommendations.
You should report safety hazards or urgent repair needs to your association management in Tampa and other relevant authorities promptly. This ensures issues are identified and further damage is minimized to expedite recovery efforts.
Let Wise Property Management Lead you Through Hurricane Repairs
Once the damage has been assessed and a plan is in place for repairs, your condo association should communicate timelines and safety measures to residents. As a Tampa condominium management company, we understand how important immediate action to address hurricane damage is.
For more information on preparing your condominium for hurricanes and to learn more about how we stand out among Tampa association management companies, please request a proposal today or call our office at (813) 968-5665.