It's not just alarming when a tree falls on your home, it can also pose a safety hazard for those inside. Prompt and safe removal of the tree is necessary, which is a task best left to professionals.
1. Damage Inspection
A series of inspections are necessary before tree removal from the roof can begin. A technician from the utility company may come out to determine if any utility grounds were disturbed, including overhead power lines and underground gas and water lines. A tree professional, along with a roofing contractor, is needed to determine the extent of the damage to your home and to develop a safe tree removal plan that won't cause any further roof damage.
2. Safety Rigging
Rigging and reinforcement of both the tree and your home may be necessary before work begins. The purpose is to stabilize the tree and the damaged area so that further damage or roof collapse doesn't occur during the removal process. A roofer may be needed to add reinforcement to damaged areas of the roof, while your tree technician may use ropes and other anchors to prevent the tree from slipping further.
3. Tree Removal
How the tree is removed depends on its size and the way it fell. Small trees that have simply tipped over may be carefully rolled off the roof, while a large tree may require cutting into smaller sections first or a crane may be used to lift it off the roof. When the problem is only due to a large branch, the remaining tree may be saved with careful pruning. More severe damage requires cutting the tree down to a stump.
4. Grounds Cleaning
Once the tree is off the house, your tree crew will clean up the grounds to prepare it for your roofing crew's arrival. Smaller branches and debris will be cleared from the roof, eaves, and from inside the attic if the damage is severe enough to warrant it. The crew will also clean up branches and other debris on the ground, including filling in any holes, so that the roofing crew won't have any obstructions when they show up.
5. Stump Management
It's best to remove the tree stump, as it is a tripping hazard, attracts pests, and can be unattractive. If you opt to have it ground down or pulled out, this may occur at the same time the rest of the tree is removed or you may schedule it for after the roof repairs are done. Landscaping the tree removal site should be postponed until after the roof is repaired.
Contact a tree removal service immediately if a tree falls onto your home.
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