Inspecting Homes After Storms

EarthCraft House experts suggest five ways to inspect homes for damages after a thunderstorm, the advice comes after the severe tornado struck Atlanta last month and left more than 40 metro homes damaged. Repairing homes destroyed by natural disasters requires experienced renovators and contractors to develop a two-fold strategy that addresses necessary repairs and improves the overall energy efficiency of the home.

EarthCraft House renovators and contractors participating in the Home Performance with ENERGY STAR program are trained in a whole-house systems approach that improves a building’s durability and reduces its utility and maintenance costs. For a complete list of EarthCraft House renovators and contractors visit www.earthcrafthouse.com and www.southfacehomeperformance.com.

EarthCraft House experts advise homeowners to conduct a five-part home inspection after any natural disaster:

1. Protect and cover any holes in the exterior shell of building.
2. Check for standing water in areas such as basements, crawlspaces and attics.
3. Inspect home for missing building components such as; shingles, siding and insulation.
4. Ensure gutters are undamaged and clear of debris, foliage and branches.
5. Replace damaged appliances with sustainable, energy efficient or ENERGY STAR
qualified appliances.

EarthCraft House is a voluntary green building program of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (HBA) developed through a partnership with Southface, government and industry leaders. Since the program’s inception in 1999, more than 5,000 homes in the Southeast region have been certified to EarthCraft House standards.