What to Do If a Tree Falls on Your House?

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

What to Do If a Tree Falls on Your House?

Storm Toppled Trees and Branches

With the recent bout of tornadoes and strong storms throughout Central Indiana, downed trees and branches are an all but common occurrence. Hopefully, though, the down trees and debris have not hit your home or car but have just caused damage to your lawn or landscaping. If a tree limb or whole tree has hit your home, there are some steps you should take to ensure there isn’t further damage and to speed up any recovery efforts. Below we will cover top tips to follow after a tree, limbs, or debris have hit your home after a heavy storm or tornado.

Call the Electric Company if Power Lines Are Down

If you are without power or notice that the tree has hit power lines, stay away from the tree and power lines and call the electric company immediately. They will be able to safely turn off the power to the lines and start working on getting the lines back up.

Evacuate Any Damaged Structures

If a tree has caused significant damage to your home or garage, you will want to vacate the damaged area of the home or structure. The damaged roof or walls of the structure could make the entire structure unstable and at risk of collapsing. If the damage is to a majority of the home, it is best to evacuate the home and seek shelter at a neighbor or in your car away from the fallen tree and damaged home.

Smell Gas, Evacuate the Area

If a tree has fallen and damaged your roof or exterior wall/s, there is a chance that it has also ruptured a gas line in your wall or attic. There is also the possibility of an uprooted tree breaking the gas line under the ground. If you smell gas in or around your home, you should immediately leave the area and call 911. The police will contact the gas company to shut off the gas line in your area.

Water Damage from Damaged Roof, Walls, or Windows

If you notice water leaking into your home from the damage caused by the downed tree or branches, you will want to call a water damage restoration company, like SERVPRO of Indianapolis West, immediately to cover the damaged area and clean up any water damage inside your home. This will keep any further rain from entering into your home and dry up any water that has already entered. The faster this is done, the less damage your home will incur from water and mold.

Does Home Insurance Cover Damage from Fallen Trees?

A common question many people have is whether their home insurance will cover damage caused by a fallen tree or branches. If the fallen tree damaged your home, garage, or detached structures like a barn or shed, more likely than not, your home insurance will cover the damage. If the fallen tree just causes damage to your lawn or landscaping, it’s unlikely your home insurance will cover the damage. It really all depends on your home insurance company and policy. You should contact your insurance agent for clarification on what is covered and what isn’t.

How to Prevent It from Happening Again

While you could remove all the trees from around your property to greatly reduce potential damage from a fallen tree to your home, this is an unlikely and unpopular scenario amongst most people who appreciate having shade trees and ornamental trees around their homes. One tip you could follow to reduce any fallen branches or downed trees from damaging your home is to practice some routine clean up and maintenance on your trees each year. Once a year, Spring is usually the best time, it’s a good idea to cut down any dead branches, leaning branches, or damaged branches that may break or fall during a storm. If you find any dead trees or unhealthy trees, you may consider hiring an arborist to determine if the tree can be revived or cut down. By keeping your trees in healthy condition, you can reduce the risk of one toppling or breaking as a result of strong winds and heavy rains.

Prevent Further Water Damage. Contact SERVPRO of Indianapolis West.

If you should experience water damage to your home or property from a downed tree or branches, call the water damage restoration experts at SERVPRO of Indianapolis West. They have the equipment and the expertise to stop any further damage from happening and quickly clean up and restore the water damage that has already occurred. They can also help with any mold damage or fire damage if needed. They’re available 24/7 for any size disaster. Give them a call if disaster strikes and damages your home.