What You Should Do if A Tree Falls on Your House
Unfortunately, no one teaches you what to do if a tree falls on your home. There's no class in school or drill to go over the important steps you need to take. So we wanted to create a guide just for you- educating you on what you should do in the event that a tree falls on your home. Bookmark this page, send it to your family, or print it out in case you need it for reference one day.
There are several things that can cause a tree to fall on your home - from high winds to decay. Let’s start at the beginning. The first thing you need to do is focus on your safety.
Safety First
A tree falling on your house is a scary event, but it is critical to stay calm. First and foremost, you should evacuate the home. Even if there is not a gaping hole in your roof, staying inside could be dangerous.
Once everyone is safely outside, contact 911 so they can send out the necessary help such as an ambulance, fire crew or emergency technicians. There are many potential risks that the professionals should check for when a tree falls including:
Damaged power lines that could start a fire
Damaged gas lines
Damaged water lines
If any of the aforementioned possibilities occur, they pose a threat to you and your family’s safety. Even if the extent of the damage is not obvious, remember it is better to be safe than sorry.
Assess and Document the Damage
Once you have ensured everyone’s safety, it is time to begin to document the damage. Take pictures of the fallen tree from as many angles and distances as you can. Be sure not to get too close, avoid going into the home if there is structural damage, climbing on the roof or doing anything that would put your safety at risk.
Some common areas to check for damage include your roofing, siding, plumbing, windows, doors, HVAC equipment, furniture and your lawn.
Call in the Professionals
After personally documenting the damage as best you can, it is time to report the damage and begin planning for repairs. This step is best left to the professionals- so don’t feel like you have to do it alone. Contact your insurance company and your local roofing contractor to report the damage, have it professionally assessed and begin planning for repairs. In some cases, your insurance carrier may send out a contractor to assess the damage, otherwise you will need to call in your own roofing company.
If you are located in central or northeast Georgia, then Elite Roofing and Restoration would be happy to assist you. Not only can we help assess and repair the damage done to your roof, but we are experts in the claim process and will work with your insurance company to get your roof repairs covered at little to no cost to you!
Make Repairs
When the pros arrive, they may be able to take some precautions to prevent further damage to your roof such as covering broken windows or holes in your roof. If they do, make sure to keep any and all receipts related to these expenses. Any permanent repairs should only be arranged once you and your insurer agree on the final amount of the claim.
If you take it upon yourself to prevent further damage, be careful of any glass, stay away from any downed electrical lines and never go on the roof when it has an unknown level of damage as this could lead to serious injury.
Your policy may dictate limits on the amounts of specific repairs and if the service costs more, you will be responsible for paying the difference. Make sure you do not begin any repairs until you have come to an agreement with your insurance company.
You may need to hire an arborist to remove the tree, a roofer to fix your roof, a plumber to fix any broken water lines, and a contractor to fix any structural damage.
Prevention
In order for insurance to cover the damage of a fallen tree, the cause must be attributed to an ‘Act of Nature’. Storms or inclement weather would be covered, but a decaying tree you were aware of would not be covered because it demonstrates negligence.
Negligence can invalidate your claim and cost you thousands. For instance, if you attempt to cut a tree down without professional assistance and it falls onto your roof, or if you are aware of a badly decayed tree near your home and take no precautions to remove it then you are being reckless.
There are somethings you can do to to prevent future accidents and prepare for an ‘Act of Nature’:
Have an arborist check your property every 3-5 years to assess the foliage on your property.
Regularly trim your trees in a way that promotes a balanced and healthy tree.
Prune smaller trees that grow close to your home before they grow into big risks.
Make sure you have your insurance company’s information and a professional roofing company on speed dial in case of an emergency.
Make a plan for everyone residing in your home detailing what to do if a tree falls and how you can react safely.
If you are in need of emergency roof services, call Elite Roofing and Restoration for a free inspection and estimate. Our team is readily available to assist you with storm related emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! Contact us today to learn more: (678) 781-1998.
Elite Roofing and Restoration is your source for quality roof repair and replacement.
In addition to roof replacements and repairs, both commercial and residential, we offer a considerable list of additional home repair services to assist you with any general construction needs you may have.
Contact us today to schedule your no-hassle, complimentary roof inspection today.
