Pre-storm photo checklist for commercial property
What to photograph and write down before storm season, roof section by roof section, so the building's condition on a known date is on file.
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Set up the record
A dated record lets you compare the building before and after a storm.
Location data in each file shows where the photo was taken.
Numbered sections let anyone match a photo to its place on the roof.
A photo without a note is hard to place or explain later.
A scale shows the size of cracks, blisters and dents.
Roof
Existing wear on file keeps old damage apart from new.
Shows any rust, waves or loose fascia at the roof edge before a storm.
A count with photos makes missing or damaged items easy to spot later.
Cracked seals and old hail marks on file keep old damage apart from new.
Standing water ages a roof membrane, so record where it collects.
Rooftop units
Shows each unit's condition and position before a storm.
Rust and missing fasteners on file keep old wear apart from storm damage.
Shows any existing leaks, rust or rot at the curb.
Shows the units were tied down before the storm.
Make, model and serial numbers identify each unit and help value it.
Gutters, walls and windows
IBHS checks that gutters are strapped on and downspouts discharge at least 3 feet from the foundation.2
Shows which walls, windows and doors were intact before the storm.
Shows the door's condition and whether it is wind-rated.
Inside
Existing stains on file keep old leaks apart from new ones.
Shows any existing leaks or stains on the deck and insulation.
A quick video records the rooms, equipment and stock in one pass.
Records with the photos
Underwriters and adjusters ask for roof age, warranty and repair history.
Dates, values and serial numbers help prove what was there and what it was worth.
Files kept only at the building can be lost with it.
You will need them right away after a storm.
Buildings change, and an old record may not show the condition before the next storm.
General guidance, not legal or insurance advice.
Why a dated record helps
A dated inventory helps prove what was there and what it was worth, which can speed up a claim. It is far easier to make before a storm than after.
Questions
- What should I photograph before storm season at a commercial property?
- Each roof section's cover, edge metal, penetrations, drains and skylights; every rooftop unit with its curb, straps and nameplate; gutters, walls, windows and doors; and top-floor ceilings with any existing stains.
- Why document a roof before a storm?
- Photos from before a storm show the roof's condition on a known date, so new damage can be told apart from old wear. Keep the roof's age, warranty and repair history with them.
- Where should pre-storm photos be stored?
- Offsite and in the cloud, so they survive damage to the building. Keep paper copies in a waterproof, fireproof box or a bank deposit box, and protect electronic copies with strong passwords.
Cloudbreak
Cloudbreak's certified inspection partners record every roof section, elevation and exterior item before a loss, with an exception list for anything not captured. Before a purchase, the due diligence inspection covers storm risk, roof life and insurance cost.
Sources
Checks are kept in this browser only and sent nowhere. Each item is from the published sources below.
- 1. Texas Department of Insurance: Home insurance guide
- 2. Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (copy hosted by ICAT): Make Your Business Hurricane Ready: Prepare Your Business Annually Before Hurricane Season