Hadley Roof Damage From Falling Limbs, Tarped and Repaired

Hadley sits in the far southwest corner of Lapeer County, close to both the Oakland and Genesee county lines. It is rolling, wooded country dotted with small lakes, and plenty of homes are set well back from the road at the end of a long drive. That is a pleasant way to live until a thunderstorm drops a heavy branch on the house.

What should I do right after a limb comes through my roof?

Get everyone away from the damaged area, then move valuables and electronics out of the way of dripping water. Put buckets or towels under active leaks. Do not climb up to pull the branch off yourself; it may be holding broken decking in place. Take photos, then contact us to cover the opening.

If a limb is touching power lines, call the utility first and stay well clear. Once it is safe, the job comes in stages, and the first stage is simply keeping weather out.

How does tarping protect a house until the real repair?

A properly secured tarp covers the hole and the damaged shingles around it so rain runs off instead of into the attic. We clear loose debris, lay the tarp over the ridge where possible, and fasten it so wind cannot get underneath. It is a stopgap that keeps things dry until weather allows a lasting repair.

Our emergency roof tarping is built for exactly this situation. For a smaller puncture or a cracked area without a full hole, temporary roof sealing may be enough. Long gravel drives are part of working out here; it helps if you tell us about soft ground, gates or low branches on the way in.

Why does the permanent repair need dry weather?

Because the roof has to be opened up to fix it properly. Broken decking gets cut out and replaced, then new underlayment and shingles go on, and none of that should be exposed to rain. Shingles also need reasonable temperatures to seal down. Waiting for a dry stretch produces a better, tighter repair.

When we come back, a limb strike usually involves more than one fix:

• Cracked decking, and sometimes framing, under the impact point
• Shingles torn or scuffed well beyond the visible hole
• Bent gutters, drip edge or fascia where the branch slid off
• Crushed vent pipes or loosened flashing nearby

That fuller look is part of our storm damage repair work. If framing is cracked, we will tell you what we see and what it needs before any shingles go back on. A heavy trunk that crushes more than one section, though, can leave replacing the entire roof as the cleaner fix.

Keeping a wooded roof in shape between storms

Shade from tall trees keeps some slopes damp, and leaves and needles fill gutters and valleys every fall. Clogged gutters hold meltwater against the roof edge, which feeds ice dams once winter sets in, and heavy snow on limbs brings down branches of its own. Trimming branches that hang over the roof and clearing gutters before snow arrives cuts down on both limb strikes and winter leaks. If you are not sure whether a stain is new, a roof leak inspection will tell you.

Tree damage and your insurer

Limb damage from a storm is something many homeowners take to their insurance company. We provide dated photos, a description of the damage and a written estimate. You file the claim and talk with the insurer; we can meet the adjuster at the house if you would like. Policies differ on tree damage, so check yours. More is on our insurance claims page.

We also help homeowners in Metamora and Lapeer with storm-felled branches and the leaks that follow.

Branch on the roof and water in the house? Let us get a tarp over it. Call Now or Free Estimate.