6 Steps to Take When a Tree Falls on Your House

Mother nature is a power beast and owning a home makes you vulnerable to the elements. During major windstorms, trees can call onto your house and completely wreck your roof. Yikes! Before this even happens, make sure you have homeowners insurance (obviously). What do you do next?

Here are 6 steps to take when wondering what to do if a tree falls on your house and damages your property.

What to Do If a Tree Falls on Your House

Step 1: Safety First, Always

Before you do anything, make sure everyone in the house is safe. Get out if you need to without haste. Look out for downed power lines or anything else that could be dangerous. Larger fallen trees can take out massive structures that stand in its way. If everyone’s accounted for and safe, take a deep breath. You’ve got this.

Step 2: Document Everything

Grab your phone or camera and start snapping pictures of the damage from every angle. Make sure it’s safe to do so first! These photos are your golden tickets for insurance claims. They’re proof of the damage and can help ensure you get covered for repairs. Also, consider reporting the downed tree to the city of Philadelphia. Get all parties involved that should be!

Step 3: Call the Professionals

This isn’t the time for a DIY project. Reach out to emergency services if there are immediate dangers, like a gas leak or downed power lines. Next on your call list? Your insurance company. They’ll walk you through the claims process and tell you what they need from you.

Also, consider hiring a professional tree removal service to safely remove the tree from your house. They know what they’re doing and can prevent further damage. Depending on the cleanup, there are reputable junk removal companies that can handle the wreckage too.

According to Avraham from EZ CleanUp Junk Removal Philadelphia, “Homeowners can utilize a clean-up crew to help gather debris caused by fallen trees. Don’t be worried even if looks bad at first. Trees falling on homes are sadly common in Philly. Cleanup and junk removal companies can get your property looking great in no time.”

Step 4: Prevent Further Damage

If it’s safe and you’re able to, try to protect your home from further damage. This might mean covering up broken windows or holes in the roof with tarps. Don’t go all out and start repairs yourself, though. Temporary fixes are the name of the game until you get the go-ahead from your insurance company.

Doing all this maintenance because a tree fell on your house is a pain. Not everyone wants to do it. You can sell your house fast instead of struggling with damaged roof shingles. There are buyers out there who will purchase your home even with roof damage. Your best bet is to contact a professional house buyer in Philadelphia who can take the property off your hands as-is.

Step 5: Keep Records of Everything

From the moment the tree kisses your house, keep a detailed record of everything related to the incident. Document calls with your insurance, keep receipts for any emergency repairs or services you pay for, and note any expenses related to the incident. Your future self will thank you when it comes time to settle insurance claims.

Certain properties are more vulnerable to trees falling on them. For example, if there are multiple buildings on one property with lots of trees, there’s a higher chance this could happen. Properties that are converted into wedding venues suffer from Mother Nature attacks all the time. When a tree falls on a house, make sure to record it, even if it happens often.

Step 6: Patience is a Virtue

Dealing with the aftermath of a tree falling on your house can be stressful and time-consuming. Insurance claims, contractors, repairs—it’s a lot. Remember to take care of yourself during this process. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Just take things one step at a time.

If this is a rental property, try to act fast. Landlords must protect their tenants at all times. Sometimes, a rental property will get damaged beyond repair. This could force the tenant to temporarily leave your house. Consider buying your tenant a wellness package of some sort to help them cope with the inconvenience. No one likes it when a tree falls on a house.

Closing Thoughts

Unfortunately, we cannot control the weather. Having a tree fall on your house is no one’s idea of a good time. But with a cool head and a clear plan, you can figure it all out. Remember, it’s all about ensuring safety first, then tackling the practicalities of clean-up and repair. And hey, once it’s all said and done, you’ll have quite the story to share. Stay safe, and may all your trees stay upright!