Tree or Branch Roof Damage: Dealing With It

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A falling tree or branch can wreak havoc on your roof. It can go beyond damaging shingles, shattering windows, and causing windows to cave. Sometimes it’s huge.

What should you do when a tree or branch falls on your roof? This article will discuss a few crucial steps to keep your family safe when a tree falls on your house and what you can do to prevent it from happening again.

If a tree or branch falls on your roof, our roofing repair contractors in Greenville are here to help.

Evacuate Everyone From the House If a Tree Falls

A tree falling on your roof affects the house’s structural integrity. It could cause the ceiling to cave in. Get everyone out of the house immediately after a tree falls on your roof. Before you return, take a first aid kit and a few belongings that can sustain you for a few days.

Ensure no one in the family sustains an injury. iI anyone is injured, attend to the person. Find a safe place the whole family can be for the time being. It could be the house of a family friend or any pre-planned location.

The effect of the fallen tree or branch can cause panic in the family. It would help if you calmed down because panicking will put you at a higher risk. Stay calm and ensure you can make wise decisions that can save your life.

Call 911 for Help

It is time to call 911. Here is why you need to call 911. The fallen tree might have fallen on a power line. This is common after strong winds and storms. Calling the proper authorities will help you know the steps to take.

The fallen tree might also be a risk of fire. When the emergency services are aware of what is going on in your house will help put suitable measures in place to save you, your home, and other people in the neighborhood.

You should not try to handle the situation by removing the tree or branch, even if it is a small tree or branch in your eyes.

Call Your Insurance Company

Once your family is safe, it is time to call your insurance company and report the damage from the tree or branch. The insurance company would want to know in detail what happened.

Depending on your homeowner insurance policy, it may be possible to cover damages caused by natural elements such as fallen trees, hail, storms, rain, and lightning. The insurance company will send an insurance adjuster and may be an experienced roofing contractor over for roof inspection.

You would have to prove to the insurance adjuster that the fallen tree or branch was not because of your negligence. Most times, insurance companies find a way not to pay your insurance claims.

What if the tree is from a neighbor’s house? You should still contact your insurance company, and they will tell you what to do to receive your compensation.

Contact a Local Roofing Contractor

Now that the insurance adjuster has inspected the damage, they will recommend an experienced Greenville roofing company to take care of the roof repair. If they don’t recommend any roofing contractor, you can find one from a simple Google search. When looking for a roofing company, it is essential to do your research well. Read reviews about them and ask other people about their experiences with the company.

An experienced roofer will help fix the roof for minor damage, including damaged shingles or metal sheets. However, if the injury affects the entire roofing system, they will also repair it in a few days.

Is It Ok for a Tree or Branch to Touch the Roof in Greenville?

Trees can make your home beautiful and welcoming. Apart from making your home attractive, trees can protect your roof against heavy storms. But when trees are too close to the foundation of the house, they can pose many problems.

How far should tree branches be from your house? A good rule is 10 to 20 feet from the house’s foundation. However, depending on the tree size, canopy, and root system, no part of the tree should touch the house.

Tree branches too close to the house can break and damage the roof. Another close problem branches can pose is that they might cause mold and mildew that cause roofs or walls to decay. The leaves and debris from the tree can clog the roof gutters, leading to water overflow.

The ideal distance between the branches and the roof should be at least six feet.

How to Protect Your House from Falling Trees

It is prevalent for falling branches to damage your roofing system. The cost of repairing the roof after the damage is expensive. Fortunately, there are measures you can put in place to protect your house from falling trees or tree branches.

Get ready for the storm season: Before the storm season starts, you can contact an arborist to inspect your trees. The inspection can help you know if there is a tree problem and learn how to take care of them. This will go a long way in preventing falling branches.

Check the trees after every storm: After every storm, it’s advisable to inspect the trees. Studying the trees will help spot any bent or broken branches. If it’s a huge branch, you must call an expert to handle it.

Plan before planting: Learn about the characteristics and shape of the tree before planting. Consider how big its canopy will be root system. Knowing these will help you plan the tree to prevent branches from falling on your house.

Trim the branches regularly: If tree branches grow too long and hang over the roof, it is time to cut them down.

Don’t over-prune the trees as it will weaken them and make them susceptible to the storms.

Emergency Roofing Repair in Greenville, SC

Usually, after a heavy storm, my homeowners experience fallen trees or branches on their roofs. If you are searching for the best roofing company near me, Lanier Roofing is here to repair your roof for you. Why should you choose Lanier Roofing as your contractor to repair the damaged roof?

  • We offer free inspections and estimates for customers.
  • We will assist you in recovering your insurance claims.
  • We’re licensed and insured to operate in Greenville.

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