Getting back to normal

Getting your house back to normal after a natural disaster can help you get your life back to normal. Some tips on in-specting your house for damage:

Exterior

- Inspect roof supports, ridge areas, gable ends and eaves. The roof may have stayed intact, but shifted.

- Use caution if you decide to step on the roof. Roofs that appear intact could have weakened.

- On the roof, look for missing asphalt shingles or missing or broken roof tiles. On flat roofs, look for areas where the gravel and underlayment have been torn away.

- Plastic sheeting, such as Visqueen, can be used to stop leaks temporarily. Also, roofing paper can be applied by alternating layers of trowel-grade roof cement.

- If you can, photograph damage before making repairs. Keep all receipts from temporary repairs.

Filing a claim

- Try to call your insurance agent immediately.

- Begin making temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Save permanent repairs until after an adjuster has made an inspection.

- Most homeowner's policies provide for removal of trees or branches but do not pay for removal or debris in your yard.

- If you and your insurer can't settle on how much it will cost to repair your home, the Insurance Information Institute suggests contacting the company's claims department manager.

Help with buildings

Thurston County Emergency Management officials urge residents with any concerns about the building's stability to seek help.

- Residents in unincorporated Thurston County can contact Development Services at 754-3360 to arrange for a building inspector to assess structural safety.

- Olympia residents should call the Olympia Planning Department at 753-8314.

- Lacey residents should call 412-9284.

- Tumwater residents should call 754-4120.

- Residents living on or near bluffs and shorelines should closely inspect their property for signs of unstable or shifting soil.

To report damage

Residents of unincorporated Thurston County are encour-aged to report property damage to the county's Emergency Management Division at 754-3360. Residents of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater should call their respective cities to report damage.

At home

Tips for before, during and after an earthquake from the Washington State Military Department, Emergency Management Division:

- If you smell gas or hear a hissing sound, open a window and leave the building. Shut off the main gas valve outside.

- If water pipes are damaged, shut off the water supply at the main valve.

- Check your home and chim-neys for structural damage. If doors and windows are suddenly sticking, it's a sign that parts of your home have shifted. Have a professional assess the damage.

- Visually inspect utility lines and appliances for damage.

Utilities

In case of emergency, here's how to shut off your gas, water and electricity:

- The switch for water is usually outside by the street. There are special wrenches used to turn it off, but a crescent wrench will get the job done. After picking up the lid, there will be a switch or dial at the top of the valve. It should be in line with the pipe that it's on. Turn the switch perpendicular to the pipe to turn it off.

- Gas is basically the same, but it's best to consult with your gas company before turning it off.

- Electricity can be turned off at the circuit breaker in your home.

To be prepared

Items to have on hand before the next earthquake.

- Flashlights.

- Emergency drinking water.

- Crescent wrench to shut off gas.

- Heavy-duty gloves to clean up broken glass.

- AM/FM radio.

The Olympian Copyright 2000

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