Whether a tree falls in and crushes your car or a branch drops from the roof of your brownstone, homeowners’ insurance typically covers storm damage. PRV Tree Service understands how to handle any post-storm cleanup correctly.
All debris should be disposed of properly. It can be used as firewood, composted, or worked into the soil to improve tree health.
Trees are beautiful but can also be a dangerous hazard during storms. They can fall on homes, cause structural damage, and pierce roofs and block walls to expose a home’s interior. A fallen limb can even knock out a power line, leading to costly utility outages for homes and businesses.
If you have a tree or trees on your property that were damaged during a storm, it is important to contact a professional immediately. They will inspect the situation and determine what needs to be done to get your property back in shape. This process may involve trimming or pruning, but it may require tree removal in severe cases.
Before beginning storm damage tree cleanup, surveying the property for hazards hiding in the mess is essential. In addition to fallen branches and limbs, there may be other debris left behind by the storm, such as broken fences or furniture. This can pose a safety risk for anyone working on storm damage cleanup, so it’s best to call a team of professionals.
After the professional has assessed the damage, they will begin to work on removing any fallen branches or limbs. They will also take the proper safety precautions and wear the appropriate safety equipment. This will help to minimize injury and potential liability for the homeowner.
It’s important to note that, in many instances, homeowners insurance covers the costs of repairing or removing trees damaged by storms. However, it’s vital to check the details of your specific policy, as some insurers have clauses that can nullify your coverage if the insured knew a tree was unhealthy and did not take reasonable steps to correct it before the storm hit.
In the case of healthy, living trees that are damaged during a storm, the most common remedy is to prune or trim the affected area. This will improve the tree’s appearance, limit access to insect pests and diseases, and allow it to recover faster.
In a severe storm, a tree can easily fall over, damage your property, or even collapse your house. When a strong thunderstorm comes in and damages your home, you’ll want to hire a tree service specializing in post-storm cleanup services like tree removal.
During a storm, the wind can cause damage to trees by uprooting or bending them at the base. These damaged trees can threaten nearby people, homes, and structures. They may also be at risk of falling on or touching power lines. These trees should be removed immediately to prevent injury or further damage.
A professional tree service will usually assess the storm damage before recommending any services. Hazards that pose an immediate danger to the public, such as downed or leaning trees blocking roads or resting on houses, will be addressed first. Then, the forestry professionals will examine the remaining trees on your property to identify any other problems that need to be repaired.
Some trees may be able to stand after a storm but should still be removed. They may need to be pruned to improve their appearance, limit access to insect pests and diseases (proper pruning helps trees heal faster), or protect them during future storms. Other times, a tree may need to be removed due to internal damage that makes it unstable or at risk of falling over in the next storm.
When assessing storm damage to your trees, look for signs of structural issues such as exposed roots, a crack in the trunk, or large missing limbs. You can also listen to a tree for creaking or rattling, indicating it is about to fall over.
Remember that your homeowners’ policy will only cover a fallen tree if the proximate cause of its collapse is a natural event, such as a windstorm or lightning. If the tree fell because of a wildfire, flood, or mudslide, those events require separate coverage under different insurance policies. In addition, homeowners’ insurance only covers trees that fall because of age or rot.
The electric lines that crisscross our country bring power to homes and businesses but can also be taken down during extreme weather. This creates a potential safety hazard for people who walk or drive by the downed line. If you find downed wires on your property or the street, follow these safety precautions to avoid severe injury or death.
The first thing you should do when you see a downed power line is call your local utility company and report the location. They’ll send technicians to turn off power to the area and make repairs if needed.
If you have a vehicle near a downed line, stay inside until first responders tell you it’s safe to exit. Even if the car doesn’t touch the line, it could be charged with electricity by the current running through nearby objects, such as tree limbs and puddles.
Stay away from any object in contact with a downed line, including fences and tree debris. Remember that it can take just a few inches of distance for electricity to travel through the ground and shock anyone entering the area. This includes water and puddles; don’t walk through or jump into them.
When you’re outside and see a downed line, stay at least 30 feet away from it and warn others to keep far away. If you’re in your vehicle when the line falls, stay inside and watch it from a safe distance. If you can’t get away from the vehicle, shuffle (don’t run) to the side of the road and away from the vehicle while keeping both feet on the ground.
If you’re a pedestrian and spot a downed line, assume it’s life and stay clear of it. If you can’t move, shuffle as quickly as possible away from the line while keeping both feet on the ground. Then, once it’s safe, call 911 and wait for the utility company to arrive. Never attempt to remove a downed line, even if it’s just a single branch.
A dead tree can harm the people and property that come into contact with it. This is especially true if it is located near power lines or other areas people and pets use. If you notice a tree dying, it’s best to call a professional before the situation worsens. This is because dead or dying trees are more likely to fall during a storm, which can cause serious injury or property damage.
When a tree is on the verge of death, its wood will become brittle and weak. This makes it more susceptible to breaking during a storm. Additionally, a dead tree will no longer receive nutrients from its roots. This can lead to the onset of disease and, ultimately, death. Finally, a dead tree attracts pests such as termites and carpenter ants. This can be dangerous to those around it, as these pests will chew through the tree from the inside out.
If you suspect that a tree is dying, there are several signs that you can look for to see if it’s time to call your local arborist. One of the most important is the presence of a fungus on the ground around the base of the tree. This is a clear sign that the tree’s roots have begun to rot, and it’s only a matter of time before the entire root system will break apart.
In addition, if you notice that a tree is leaning or has bare branches on one side, these are both signs that the tree is weakened and could fall in a storm. Another clear sign is vertical cracks or seams in the trunk of a tree, which is a surefire indicator that the tree has gone past its prime and is beginning to die.
Although removing any damaged trees after a storm may be tempting, it’s important to remember that these trees are a vital part of nature and should be allowed to pass their natural lifespan. Besides, removing a tree at the first sign of trouble is much more cost-effective than dealing with the aftermath of a fallen tree.