Your roof keeps you, your family, and your stuff safe from the elements and weather. But really bad weather can hurt your roof. Big hail and strong wind are the main problems. Trees can also damage roofs. But when a tree falls on your roof, you need to act fast.
When a big storm comes, it can make trees fall over, branches fly around, and cause lots of damage to property. If a tree or part of it lands on your roof, it can be really frightening. If this happens to you, the first thing you need to do is leave your home and call 911 immediately. Those are the initial two steps, which we’ll explain in more detail later. The other steps are just as crucial, so keep reading as we guide you through what to do if a tree falls on your roof, step by step.
Step 1: Evacuate
The most crucial step if a tree hits your roof is to leave the house immediately. Get yourself, your family, and your pets out as fast as you can. If you share a roof or walls with neighbors, make sure to inform them about the situation and advise them to evacuate too.
Your roof might appear to have endured all the damage it can handle after a tree falls on it, but the situation could worsen significantly. When a tree hits your roof, it creates an initial impact and leads to structural damage.
As time goes on, the structural strength of your roof may decrease, which can lead to it collapsing. This could cause further damage and put your family at risk of injury or worse.
Step 2: Call 911
Once you’re safely outside, immediately call local emergency services by dialing 911. Report the emergency and explain what happened, providing any important details you have.
They will likely dispatch both the fire department and police department to assess the situation and provide immediate assistance to you and your family.
Step 3: Call your insurance company
While you’re waiting outside, take a moment to call your insurance company. Inform them about what happened and ask for guidance on what steps to take next.
Your insurance company might request that you fill out paperwork or capture photos and videos to document the damage. If you have a smartphone app provided by your insurance company, you might be able to complete some of these tasks through that platform as well.
Step 4: Check if your home is secure enough to stay in, or if you should look for a temporary place to stay
Next, you need to determine whether your home is safe enough to remain while getting repairs performed, or if you need to find alternative dwellings for yourself, your family, and your pets.
You’ll probably need to talk with the emergency services, your insurance company, and/or your landlord (if applicable) to decide. In many situations, insurance can cover temporary housing like a nearby hotel.
Step 5: Call a local roofing company to get your roof inspected to determine if it needs roof repair or a full roof Replacement
Once you’ve taken care of the immediate concerns, it’s important to contact a local roofing company to inspect the damage to your roof. A professional roofer can assess the situation and provide you with options. When a tree falls on your roof, you’ll likely need significant repairs or even a full roof replacement. Fortunately, you have the freedom to choose any roofing company you prefer, not just the one recommended by your insurance company.
No matter what kind of help you require, it’s usually best to reach out to a local service team. They are familiar with the area, the typical types of tree damage, the specific roofing requirements of the city, and other important factors.
If a tree falling damages your roof, what should you do if you need roof repair? Contact a local roofing contractor to assess the fallen tree damage and make an insurance claim.
When a fallen tree can damage the roof, homeowners insurance may cover the cost of roof damage. The tree removal is necessary to ensure the security of the house and personal property. Homeowners should promptly file an insurance claim to explore solutions for the total cost of the roof damage and any associated expenses, such as power restoration.
If you are looking for a roofing contractor for your upcoming home renovation projects at New America Construction we provide roofing estimates for all NJ homeowners.
