What Should You Do If A Tree Falls On Your Roof?
The summer has a tendency to bring some of the most violent storms you’re likely to see in the course of a calendar year. Between hailstorms, hurricanes, and even tornadoes, there are several different types of extreme weather that could target your house- and potentially result in a tree falling onto your roof and doing some major league damage.
In the event that a tree does fall onto the roof of your house, shock and fright are two emotional reactions that are completely understandable. But it’s important to do the best you can to stay calm- and follow these three simple steps.
Go Outside And Assess The Damage
Gather everybody inside the house and make sure they’re all right. If someone has been injured, call 9-1-1 immediately. Otherwise, leave the house and figure out where the tree branch landed, and take note of how big it is. If the fallen tree branch is particularly large, do not return inside your house. The weight of a large tree branch could eventually cause the roof to cave in, and if you happen to be standing underneath it when that happens, the outcome is not likely to be good. If it’s a smaller tree branch that fell, and just made a loud noise, it might be all right to go back inside and begin making phone calls.
Call Emergency Services (If Necessary), A Tree Company, And A Roofing Company (In That Order, We Might Add)
First and foremost is the collective health of all the inhabitants of the house. If somebody has been hurt, call 9-1-1 immediately. Once you and your loved ones are out of imminent danger, it’s time to start taking steps to fix the damage to your property. The first order of business is to call a tree company to get the tree branch off your roof. Do not attempt to do this yourself unless you happen to be a professional- and even then, it’s a multi-person job. After you’ve removed the offending tree, call your local roofer to fix any damage that the falling branch may have caused. Be sure to call a roofing company you trust, as opposed to a “storm chaser.”
Call Your Insurance Company- And Heed The Warning Sign
More often than not, insurance companies will cover damage done from a storm. But you’ll need to call them to make sure- because sometimes, an insurance company could determine that the damage was more due to owner neglect than a stroke of bad luck. This means it’s up to you to ensure that old, rotting trees are removed from the perimeter of your house before a storm. If you’re asked why you didn’t have it removed before a storm came, and you don’t have a legitimate answer, the insurance company might not cover your damages.
Has a tree recently fallen on your roof and caused damage? Not to worry, we’re here to help. Contact us today to get a free quote!
