What Repairs Might You Need After A Branch Falls On Your Roof?

Having a branch fall on your roof can be alarming at first. However, this is actually something that happens quite often, especially in windy areas. The first thing to do is call a tree care company. They can come out to remove the branch and, if needed, trim away any other branches that are in danger of blowing off the tree. Then, it's time to call your home roofing repair company. They will be able to assess the damage and make recommendations for repairs. Here are a few types of repairs your home might need after this incident.

Roof Deck Repair

The roof deck is the wooden structure that forms the base of your roof. It is usually made from plywood, although some newer roof decks are made from specialized, composite materials. Roof decks are pretty good at holding heavy loads, but if they are struck with a lot of force in one spot, such as by a falling branch, they may crack. 

A roofer will remove the outer roof materials where the branch fell and inspect the roof deck underneath. If it is cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged, they will replace that part of it.

Shingle Replacement

Falling branches often cause shingles to crack. They may break the corners off a few shingles, too. If your shingles are older and more brittle, they may have lost a lot of granules where the branch struck them. In any of these cases, the shingles will need to be replaced before they begin leaking and causing other damage. This is pretty easy for a roofer to do since they need to remove the shingles to assess the condition of the roof deck, anyways. They'll just dispose of the old shingles and put new ones in their place.

Gutter Repair or Replacement

If the branch landed on the edge of the roof, it probably bent or damaged the gutter. This gutter will either need to be bent back into shape or replaced. Without it, water will not drain properly from the roof, and you may end up with even more roof damage. Most roof companies also work on gutters, but if yours does not, they can refer you to a gutter specialist.

After a branch falls on your roof, it is important to call a roofing contractor. You may need one of these repairs, or you may need all three. It depends on how the branch landed and how heavy it was.


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