A severe thunderstorm, heavy winds, or saturated ground can cause even healthy trees to fall without warning. In the North Hills of Pittsburgh, mature trees are one of the area's greatest assets, but they can also pose a significant risk to your home during spring and summer storm season.
If a tree falls on your house, the aftermath can be overwhelming. Between protecting your family, contacting your insurance company, arranging emergency roof repairs, and preventing further water damage, it's difficult to know where to begin.
The good news is that acting quickly, and in the right order, can reduce repair costs, simplify your insurance claim, and help restore your home safely.
This checklist walks you through every step after a tree falls on your roof, including who to call, what to document, and how to protect your property until repairs are complete.
Your first priority is always the safety of everyone inside your home.
If the tree has damaged the roof, walls, or electrical system, leave the home immediately if it is unsafe to remain inside.
Call 911 immediately if:
Avoid walking underneath damaged ceilings or near walls that appear to be shifting.
Even if the damage seems minor, remember that roofing systems distribute weight across the home's structure. A fallen tree can compromise framing in ways that aren't immediately visible.
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make after a tree falls on their house is trying to inspect the damage themselves. While it's natural to want to assess the situation, you should never climb onto a roof that has been struck by a falling tree.
Even if the damage appears minor from the ground, the roof may have hidden structural issues that make it unsafe. A tree impact can crack the roof decking, compromise rafters or trusses, loosen shingles, tear flashing, or even cause sections of the roof structure to shift. These problems aren't always visible and can significantly increase the risk of injury.
Instead, inspect the damage from a safe distance by walking around your property and looking for visible signs of damage. Take photos with your phone to document the condition of your roof and home for insurance purposes, and use binoculars if necessary to get a closer look without putting yourself at risk.
Once you've documented what you can safely observe, contact a professional roofing contractor to perform a comprehensive inspection. An experienced roofer has the training and equipment needed to safely assess both visible and hidden damage and recommend the appropriate repairs.
Once everyone is safe, contact your homeowner's insurance carrier.
Most homeowner insurance policies cover sudden accidental tree damage caused by:
Be prepared to provide:
Your insurance representative will explain:
Do not throw away damaged materials until your adjuster has documented them.
For more information about homeowner insurance and roof damage, visit the Insurance Information Institute.
After contacting your insurance company, your next call should be to a trusted local roofing contractor. An experienced roofing company can do much more than simply repair the visible damage. They can perform an emergency roof inspection to assess the full extent of the impact, install temporary tarps or protective coverings to prevent additional water intrusion, document the damage to support your insurance claim, and develop a comprehensive repair or roof replacement plan based on your home's specific needs.
Acting quickly can help minimize further damage and ensure your home is protected while permanent repairs are being scheduled.
Choosing a local roofing contractor is especially important after storm or tree damage. A company that serves the Pittsburgh area understands the unique challenges posed by the region's weather, including heavy rain, high winds, snow, and freeze-thaw cycles that can affect roofing systems. They are also familiar with the architectural styles commonly found throughout the North Hills, local building codes and permitting requirements, and the documentation insurance companies often require during the claims process.
Working with a trusted local contractor helps ensure repairs are completed efficiently, correctly, and in compliance with local standards.
Even if the rain has stopped, water can continue entering your home through damaged roofing materials.
Until emergency repairs are made:
Acting quickly can help reduce mold growth, ceiling collapse, hardwood floor damage, drywall deterioration, and insulation damage.
Good documentation can make the insurance claims process much smoother and help ensure you receive the coverage you're entitled to. As soon as it's safe to do so, take clear photos of all visible damage, including the fallen tree, damaged roofing materials, broken gutters, dented or damaged siding, interior leaks, water stains on ceilings or walls, damaged personal belongings, and any landscaping that was affected.
These photos provide valuable evidence of the extent of the damage before any cleanup or repairs begin.
In addition to photographs, keep organized records of all documents related to the incident. Save copies of contractor estimates, invoices for any emergency repairs, hotel or temporary housing receipts if you need to relocate, and all correspondence with your insurance company. It's also helpful to keep photos of the property before cleanup begins, as they can demonstrate the full impact of the fallen tree.
The more thorough your documentation, the easier it will be to support your insurance claim and accurately demonstrate the scope of the damage.
The visible hole in your roof is often only part of the problem.
A professional roof inspection should evaluate:
Your contractor should inspect for missing shingles, lifted shingles, torn underlayment, impact damage, and any granule loss.
Tree impacts frequently damage flashing around chimneys, skylights, roof valleys, plumbing vents. Even small flashing failures can create future leaks.
A heavy tree branch may fracture plywood decking beneath the shingles. Hidden decking damage often goes unnoticed until moisture begins entering the attic.
Your inspection should include rafters, trusses, ridge beams, fascia, and soffits. Structural repairs may be required before new roofing materials are installed.
Many homeowners focus only on the roof. However, falling trees frequently damage gutters, downspouts, fascia boards, soffits, siding, and windows.
A complete exterior inspection ensures no hidden damage is overlooked.
Even if the roof looks repairable from outside, your attic often tells the full story. Look for wet insulation, water stains, sunlight shining through decking, broken rafters, mold growth, damp wood, or musty odors. These signs indicate moisture intrusion that should be addressed immediately.
For additional information about identifying roof issues, read Understanding Roof Leaks: Common Causes and Solutions.
Not every tree strike requires a complete roof replacement. If the damage is limited to one section and your roof is relatively new, repairs may be sufficient.
However, replacement is often the better investment when:
Your roofing contractor should explain both options and provide recommendations based on your home's long-term performance rather than simply the least expensive solution.
While no one can prevent every storm, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of tree-related roof damage.
Consider:
Preventative maintenance protects both your roof and your investment.
North Hills neighborhoods like Wexford, Gibsonia, Cranberry Township, Allison Park, Mars, and Sewickley feature mature trees that make communities beautiful, but they also increase the likelihood of tree-related roof damage after severe weather.
A local roofing contractor understands:
That local knowledge can help homeowners recover more quickly and avoid costly long-term problems.
A fallen tree can be one of the most stressful situations a homeowner faces, but taking the right steps immediately can minimize damage and speed up recovery. Prioritize safety, document everything thoroughly, contact your insurance company, and work with an experienced roofing contractor who can identify both visible and hidden damage.
If a tree has damaged your home, don't wait for the next rainstorm to discover additional problems. MAT Roofing provides prompt roof inspections, emergency roof repair, storm damage assessments, and roof replacement services for homeowners throughout Pittsburgh's North Hills and South Hills.
Our experienced team will assess the damage, provide honest recommendations, and help you navigate the repair process with confidence.
Contact MAT Roofing today to schedule your roof inspection and restore your home's protection after storm or tree damage.
MAT Roofing – Quality. Experience. Community. Since 1976.
Roofing problems can be difficult to evaluate without professional guidance. At M.A. Thompson Roofing, we provide expert roofing services to help homeowners understand their options and protect their homes.
When issues go beyond routine maintenance, professional roofing solutions can prevent minor concerns from turning into costly damage.
Contractor ID: PA187186
(412) 487-3337
Info@MATRoofing.com
3804 Gibsonia Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15044
