In one moment, your roof is sturdy and secure, standing firm in the face of an intense Texas storm. The next, a tree branch thuds onto your home – and in the worst-case scenarios, it might even tear a big hole in the roof, requiring a major repair or replacement.

This scenario isn’t too common, but it’s always wise to know what to do when a tree crashes into your roof. Having a few steps in mind can help you mitigate the damage and get repairs started ASAP. Let’s take a closer look.

Step One – Evaluate and Evacuate if Needed

First, take a moment to evaluate the extent of the damage affecting your roof. If it’s serious, you and your family members may need to evacuate ASAP. For instance, if a tree falls on your house and completely breaches the roof, you should vacate the immediate area just in case it continues to fall further.

If a branch falls on your roof and causes a few leaks, on the other hand, you may not need to fully evacuate. But it might still be a good idea to get some buckets to catch incoming water!

Step Two – Document the Damage

Once you and your family are safe and secure, you should take out your camera or phone and snap as many photos as possible. Documenting the damage to your roof is vital for two reasons:

• It’ll help your roofing contractors determine the best way to repair the damage to your roof
• It’ll be important for filing an insurance claim

When you file a claim for roof damage from your insurance company, you need to prove that said roof damage really happened and that it’s as bad as you say. Photographic evidence is extremely difficult to dispute, and the more photos you have, the better.

Step Three – Contact Your Insurance Company

Now it’s time to speak to your insurance provider about getting funds. Filing a claim can usually be done in a handful of steps over the phone or online. After filing your claim (with your photos of the damage), your insurance provider will get back to you shortly.

You should call your insurance company as quickly as possible because some claims can take a few weeks to complete. In that time, you’ll want to commence repairs on your roof as quickly as possible.

Step Four – Get in Touch with Reputable Contractors

Once you’ve filed an insurance claim, you should contact a reputable roofing contractor. Only a knowledgeable roofing company in your area can:

• Assess your roof and determine whether it can be repaired or needs to be replaced outright
• Start the process of procuring materials for the roof repair or replacement
• Provide you with advice regarding evacuation, whether you need to live somewhere else for a
  few days, etc.

The best roofing contractors will be able to provide many more recommendations, as well. For instance, if your roof is already 30 years old and a tree falls on it, they might recommend a full replacement even though it may not technically be necessary. A new roof will be more resilient against future wear and tear, plus increase the resale value of your property.

In any case, be sure to research roofing contractors in your local area – check online reviews to make sure they’re worth your time!

How Much Will Roof Repairs Cost?

Just how much it will cost to repair your roof depends on:

• The extent and severity of the damage. There’s a big difference, for example, between patching some leaks and repairing a roof that’s had a tree collapse on top of it.
• The type of roof materials your contractors will use. It’s cheaper to repair an asphalt roof, for example, compared to replacing a roof made of cedar shakes.
• The quality of the replacement. You should only ever trust knowledgeable, reputable roofing professionals to repair your roof and quote you a fair price.

On average, roof repairs from a fallen tree or branch can cost a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars – or possibly tens of thousands of dollars if you need a full roof replacement. But when you work with Stonewater Roofing, we can help you make roof repairs as affordable as possible, plus recommend different roofing materials or solutions as needed.

How to Know if a Tree is Too Close to Your House

For Texas homeowners with lots of trees on their properties, it can be tough to know whether a tree is really too close for comfort or if it’s safe where it is.

Generally, you should never have a tree on your property with branches that extend over your home. It might be tempting to allow certain large trees to grow for shade, but those branches can eventually become hazards in the face of severe weather storms.

When in doubt, talk to an arborist about trimming or removing trees that are too close to your property. It’s oftentimes more cost-effective to get rid of potentially problematic trees early instead of waiting for them to damage your roof and require costly repairs!

Conclusion

From start to finish, a roof repair or replacement after a tree-related accident will take several days, if not several weeks, to fully resolve. Therefore, the sooner you react, the better.

When it comes time to call a contractor, you can rely on Stonewater Roofing. Our capable roofing professionals can inspect your roof, assess the damage, and provide professional recommendations regarding repairs or roof replacements. We can also get started with that work right away – and it all starts with a free quote. Contact us today to learn more.