Weathering the Storm in Central Louisiana
Living in Alexandria means understanding that the weather can turn from peaceful to dangerous in the blink of an eye. Whether it is the seasonal anxiety of major hurricanes rolling up from the Gulf or the sudden violence of a severe thunderstorm producing straight-line winds along MacArthur Drive, our homes take a beating. When the winds finally die down and the rain stops, you are often left with a property that feels vulnerable and exposed to the elements. You might be dealing with a heavy oak tree limb that has punctured your roof in Charles Park, vinyl siding stripped away by gale-force gusts in West Pointe, or water intruding through windows that could not withstand the pressure. In these moments, you need more than just a contractor. You need a local partner who understands the urgency of stabilizing your home before the next rain band hits.
Simmons Builders specializes in storm damage cleanup Alexandria services that address the full spectrum of weather-related destruction. We know that storm damage is rarely just one thing; it is often a chaotic mix of structural damage, water intrusion, and scattered debris that makes your yard unsafe. Our team mobilizes immediately to secure the property, preventing "secondary damage" caused by exposure to humidity and pests. We treat your home with the same urgency we would treat our own, knowing that a hole in the roof is an open invitation for mold and rot to set in within days. We are not storm chasers looking for a quick buck and leaving town. We are your neighbors in Rapides Parish, and we will be here long after the storm clouds have cleared.
Immediate Protection: Roof Tarping and Board-Up
The first 24 hours after a storm are the most critical for the long-term health of your home structure. If your roof has been compromised by wind or falling debris, rainwater can free-flow into your attic, saturating insulation and ruining ceilings two floors down. Our emergency roof tarping Alexandria services are designed to stop this intrusion instantly, acting as a temporary shield until permanent repairs can be made. We use heavy-duty, reinforced synthetic underlayment and secure it properly to withstand high winds, ensuring it doesn't blow off in the next gust. We don't just throw a blue tarp over the hole and hope for the best; we professionally secure it to the decking to ensure a watertight seal.
Windows and doors are also frequent casualties during Louisiana storms, whether from flying debris or extreme pressure changes. A broken window is a security risk and a massive leak waiting to happen that can ruin your flooring. Our board-up teams work quickly to cover broken glass and secure entry points with sturdy plywood, protecting your home from looters, animals, and further weather damage. This immediate "triage" approach allows you to stay in your home safely while we plan the permanent
wind damage repair Alexandria strategy. We document every piece of temporary repair work we do, as these "mitigation" steps are typically fully reimbursable by your insurance policy.
Handling Water Intrusion from Wind-Driven Rain
Storms in Alexandria often bring "sideways rain," where high winds force water through attic vents, weep holes, and even the smallest cracks in your siding. This type of water intrusion is deceptive because it often travels inside the wall cavities, soaking the insulation and drywall without leaving a massive puddle on the floor. You might only see a small water stain on the ceiling or feel high humidity in a room, but the damage behind the paint can be extensive. Our storm damage restoration Alexandria process involves using thermal imaging cameras to scan the exterior walls and ceilings, identifying these hidden tracks of moisture before they turn into black mold.
Unlike a clean pipe burst, storm water acts as a vehicle for contaminants, bringing dirt, pollen, and outdoor bacteria into your living space. We treat this as "Category 2" or "Category 3" water depending on the source, which requires specific cleaning protocols to ensure your family's health. We remove saturated insulation, which loses its R-value and acts like a wet sponge against your wooden studs, and we sanitize the framing with EPA-registered antimicrobials. Our
flood water cleanup Alexandria teams are trained to distinguish between materials that can be dried and cleaned versus those that must be removed for safety.
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Debris Cleanup and Exterior Restoration
Once the interior is stabilized, we turn our attention to the exterior chaos that a storm leaves behind. Fallen pine trees, scattered shingles, and twisted metal fences can make your property dangerous and unusable. Our storm debris removal Alexandria services clear the path for reconstruction, hauling away the wreckage so you don't have to worry about landfill trips or heavy lifting. We strictly follow the City of Alexandria and Rapides Parish guidelines for debris separation, ensuring that vegetative waste (trees/limbs) is kept separate from construction and demolition (C&D) debris to ensure timely pickup or disposal.
Exterior restoration is about curbing the visual reminders of the trauma your home has endured. We match siding profiles, repair soffit and fascia that were ripped away by the wind, and reinstall gutters to ensure proper drainage. If your roof requires full replacement rather than just a patch, our builder background ensures that the new roof is installed to current code standards, often with better wind-resistance ratings than the original. Wind damage repair Alexandria isn't just about patching holes; it's about reinforcing your home against the next storm.
Why Choose Simmons Builders?
Trusted by homeowners across Alexandria, Rapides Parish, Pineville, Allen Parish and Central Louisiana
- Family Roots: Family and Veteran owned, proudly serving Alexandria, Rapides Parish and nearby communities with pride.
- Certified Experts: IICRC trained technicians with 20+ years real world building and remodeling experience.
- One-Stop Solution: One team for mitigation, drying, repairs, and rebuilding or reconstruction from start to finish.
- Respectful Service: Respectful crews who protect your belongings and keep job sites clean and safe.
- Transparency: Clear communication, photos, and updates so you always know what is happening.
- Insurance Help: Help working with your insurance company to keep the process as smooth as possible.
Local, trusted, and proven, Simmons Builders is ready to restore your home and your peace of mind. When you choose us, you are choosing a partner who will stand by your side until the job is completely finished. We take pride in our reputation for honesty and hard work.
Reach out today for your free inspection and estimate and see the Simmons difference for yourself.
Navigating Insurance Claims for Storm Damage
Storm damage claims in Louisiana can be complex due to the specific "Named Storm Deductibles" that often kick in during hurricanes or named tropical systems. These deductibles are usually a percentage of your home's value (e.g., 2% or 5%) rather than a flat dollar amount, which can be a significant financial shock. Our team helps you navigate this process by providing detailed documentation that justifies every dollar of the repair cost. We separate wind damage from other types of loss to ensure your claim is categorized correctly under your homeowners policy.
We speak the language of insurance adjusters, using Xactimate software to create line-item estimates that leave no room for ambiguity. We document the "date of loss," the direction of the wind, and the specific entry points of the water to build an irrefutable case for coverage. Whether you are dealing with a small wind claim or a total loss from a hurricane, we act as an experienced resource to help you get what you are owed. We can meet the adjuster at your property to point out damages they might miss, such as lifted shingles or moisture hidden behind the siding.
We Help Make Insurance Claims Easier
Dealing with the insurance side of water damage can feel almost as stressful and confusing as the damage itself. Policies are full of jargon, exclusions, and technical terms, and it is not always clear what to do first or what to say to get coverage. At Simmons Builders, we believe you should not have to navigate that complex process alone. From the start of your project, we document what we see with photos, measurements, and moisture readings. That detailed documentation becomes the backbone of your claim and helps your adjuster understand the full picture of the loss.
We also provide detailed, line-by-line estimates using Xactimate, the industry-standard software that insurance carriers prefer to use. This breaks down the costs for mitigation, drying, and repairs in a way that makes sense to the insurance company and speeds up the process. When adjusters have questions about the scope of work, we are happy to speak with them directly, walk them through the home, or explain why certain steps were needed to protect the property. Our goal is to make your claim as smooth as possible while still protecting your home and your long-term interests. We act as your advocate to ensure you get what you are owed under your policy.
Insurance support you can expect from us includes:
- Clear photos, moisture readings, and notes that document your loss from Day 1.
- Accurate estimates for mitigation, drying, and build-back.
- Direct communication with your adjuster to answer technical questions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Storm Restoration
Will my insurance cover tree removal?
Insurance coverage for tree removal can be tricky and often depends on where the tree lands. Typically, if a tree falls on your home, garage, or fence and causes structural damage, your policy will cover the cost to remove the tree off the structure to perform repairs. However, if a tree falls in your yard without hitting anything, most standard policies do not cover the cost of removal or chopping it up. Our storm damage cleanup Alexandria team can help you document the impact to maximize your potential coverage for debris removal and clarify what is covered.
What is a "Named Storm Deductible" and does it apply to me?
A Named Storm Deductible is a special, higher deductible that applies only when damage is caused by a hurricane or tropical storm named by the National Weather Service (like Laura or Delta). Instead of paying a flat $500 or $1,000, you might be responsible for 2% to 5% of your home's insured value before the insurance company pays a dime. We recommend checking your policy declarations page to see if this applies to you so you can be financially prepared before the season starts.
Can you save my wet furniture and personal items?
It depends on the extent of the saturation and the type of water that affected them. Items affected by clean rainwater coming through a roof leak have a good chance of being saved if we can dry them quickly. However, items sitting in contaminated water or left wet for several days often need to be discarded to prevent mold growth. We offer content pack-out services where we inventory, box, and move your salvageable items to a dry, secure location for cleaning and storage while your home is being repaired.
Do I need to wait for the adjuster before tarping my roof?
No, you should not wait. In fact, your insurance policy likely requires you to take "reasonable steps" to mitigate further damage, which includes installing a tarp or boarding up broken windows. If you let rain continue to pour into your home for days while waiting for an adjuster, the insurance company may deny coverage for that additional interior damage. We provide detailed photos and invoices for our emergency roof tarping Alexandria services so you can submit them for reimbursement.
Ready to Rebuild After the Storm?
The clouds have cleared, and now it is time to move forward with your life. You do not have to face the debris and the damage on your own. Simmons Builders is here to provide the strength, expertise, and local care you need to turn your damaged house back into a safe home. We bring the equipment to dry it out and the skilled hands to build it back better than before.
One call connects you with a team that can handle roof tarping, water extraction, debris removal, and full reconstruction so you have a single trusted partner from start to finish. When you need storm damage cleanup Alexandria services that feel personal, professional, and dependable, reach out to Simmons Builders. Call today or send us a message to request emergency service and let us help you weather this storm together.
