A Tree Falls on Your Roof- Guide to Emergency Roofing Services
Updated: Jul 22, 2024
Winter brings with it a myriad of seasonal changes. While the cold temperatures might make the walk to your car more like a tryout for the 100 meter dash, it’s ice and wind that bring potential trouble for your roof. While snow brings its own set of challenges winter winds can be a nightmare for any shrubbery around your house that is even a bit unstable. Follow this helpful guide so you know what to do to properly address any tree damage to your roof this winter Emergency roofing services
Step 1. Evacuate
The most important step to take if your roof is damaged by a falling tree is to get out of your home. Evacuate your family as well as any pets. If you live in a duplex or any dwelling with a shared roof, immediately notify your neighbors. Although your roof may not seem like it’s taken too much damage, it could actually become far worse. After the initial impact too the roof, the structural integrity will begin to rapidly weaken in the following minutes; resulting in more damage and potentially harmful injury (or worse) for your family.
Step 2. Call 911
Once you’ve safely evacuate, calling your local emergency services is the next step. Dial 911 and tell them that you’ve had an emergency. Include as many relevant details as you can remember. More than likely, they will have the fire department come to your home for an initial inspection. Firefighters may turn off your home’s electricity to ensure no potential electrical fires will ignite as a result of your home’s structural damage. Additionally, your insurance company may want to see evidence of this initial call to emergency services as a way of ensuring the legitimacy of your claim.
Step 3. Call your insurance company.
While awaiting the arrival of emergency services, take a moment to call your insurance company. Many insurance companies have 24 hour emergency hotlines for assistance. Inform them of your situation, and inquire what further steps need to be taken. They may ask for you to fill out paperwork or online forms, as well as take photos and videos to document damage. If your insurance company offers a smartphone app, you may be able to complete these tasks through there as well.
Step 4. Find out if your home is safe enough to remain in, or if you need to find temporary accommodations
Next, you’ll need to assess if your home is safe enough to remain in while repairs are made, or if you need to find another safe location for your family and pets to reside in. To answer this question, you will likely need to consult with your local emergency services, your insurance company and/or your landlord. In many cases, your insurance company will cover temporary living arrangements, such as a nearby hotel.
Step 5. Call a local roofing company to get your roof inspected
Once you’ve completed all these steps, it’s time to call a local roofing company to have your roof damage inspected. A roofing professional can take a look and tell you what your options are moving forward. Specifically, in the case of a tree falling on your roof you will typically need a substantial repair, or a whole roof replacement. You are not required to simply go with whichever roofing company your insurance company selects. You can, in fact, choose whichever roofing company you want. Regardless of what you need, it’s nearly always better to contact a service team local to your area. They will be familiar with the area, the most common types of tree damage, what a roof in your area will require and more. We recommend giving Last Stop Roofing a call to have one of our qualified specialists take a look and give you a free estimate today!
Comments