Roofing Tips & Guides
Expert Roofing Advice for Charlotte Homeowners
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
That sound. You know the one. The crack, the crash, the sickening thud that shakes your whole house.
A tree just hit your roof.
Your heart is racing. Your mind is spinning. And you're standing there thinking: What do I do now?
Take a breath. We've helped hundreds of Charlotte and Lake Norman homeowners through this exact moment. And here's the truth: what you do in the next 60 minutes matters more than anything else.
This guide will walk you through every step. From the second that branch makes contact to the day your roof looks brand new again.
Let's get you through this.
Before you grab your phone. Before you check on the damage. Before you do anything else.
Get everyone out of danger.
A tree on your roof creates risks you can't always see. The structure might be compromised. There could be electrical damage. Gas lines might be affected.
Don't grab belongings. Don't try to assess the damage from inside. Just get your family and pets to safety.
Move at least 50 feet away from the house. That falling tree might have weakened branches that could come down next.
Sometimes a smaller branch hits and doesn't cause major structural issues. If the ceiling looks solid and there are no obvious hazards, you can stay inside. But avoid the rooms directly under the damage.
Here in Charlotte, we see everything from massive oak trees crashing through roofs to smaller limbs punching holes during summer storms. Every situation is different. When in doubt, get out.
This is where most homeowners get confused. Your phone is in your hand. But who do you call first?
Here's the order that protects both your family and your wallet:
Call emergency services immediately if:
Don't touch anything electrical. Don't try to move debris near power lines. Duke Energy will need to cut power before anyone can safely work on your property.
This surprises most people. But calling your insurance company early is critical.
Many policies have strict timeframes for reporting damage. Some require notification within 24-48 hours. Missing this window can jeopardize your entire claim.
When you call, have this information ready:
Don't worry about having all the details yet. This first call is just to open the claim.
Pro tip: Take photos and videos BEFORE you call. Even quick cell phone shots from a safe distance help document the initial damage.
Now it's time to call a professional roofing contractor.
Not the tree guy. Not your neighbor who "knows roofs." A licensed, insured roofing professional who handles emergency situations.
Why a roofer before a tree service?
Because the roof assessment determines everything else. We need to evaluate:
At Best Roofing Now, we coordinate with tree removal services regularly. We know which local arborists work carefully around damaged structures. And we make sure the tree comes off without making things worse.
We offer 24/7 emergency response throughout Charlotte and Lake Norman. Call us at (704) 605-6047 the moment disaster strikes.
Once we've assessed the roof situation, it's time to get that tree off your house.
This is NOT a DIY job. Even small trees can weigh hundreds of pounds. Cutting them incorrectly can cause them to shift and create more damage. Or worse, injure someone.
Professional tree removal crews have:
We can recommend trusted tree services in the Charlotte area who we've worked with before.
Help is on the way. But water doesn't wait for appointments.
Here's what you can do to minimize additional damage while waiting for professionals:
If water is coming in anywhere near electrical outlets, switches, or fixtures, turn off the breaker for that area. Don't touch anything electrical if you're standing in water.
If you can safely access your attic without going near unstable areas, you might be able to place tarps over holes from the inside. But don't climb on the roof yourself. Ever.
This is crucial for your insurance claim. Take photos and videos of:
Use your phone's timestamp feature. Take wide shots and close-ups. Shoot video while narrating what you see.
Once our emergency team arrives, here's what the process looks like:
We'll carefully inspect the damage from the ground and (once safe) from the roof. We use drone photography when needed to see areas that aren't safely accessible.
This assessment tells us:
Before that tree even comes down, we'll protect your home from water intrusion. Emergency tarping creates a waterproof barrier over exposed areas.
This isn't just helpful: it's often required by your insurance policy. You have a legal obligation to prevent further damage. Proper tarping proves you did your part.
Our emergency tarps can protect your home for weeks while permanent repairs are scheduled.
Once the roof is protected, the tree service can safely remove the debris. We often stay on-site during this process to make sure nothing causes additional damage.
Sometimes the tree needs to be cut in sections. Sometimes it requires cranes. The approach depends on the size of the tree, how it landed, and what structures are nearby.
With the tree gone, we can finally see everything. This is when we document the complete damage for your insurance claim:
We provide a detailed written report with photos that your insurance company needs to process your claim.
We work directly with insurance adjusters every week. We'll meet them at your property, walk through the damage together, and make sure nothing gets overlooked.
Insurance adjusters are often stretched thin after major storms. They might miss things. Having a professional roofer present ensures your claim captures the full scope of repairs needed.
Once your claim is approved, we schedule permanent repairs. Depending on the damage, this might include:
We don't cut corners. Your repaired roof will be as strong as: or stronger than: it was before.
Living in the Charlotte metro means living with trees. Beautiful, mature hardwoods that provide shade and character to our neighborhoods.
But those same trees become dangerous during storms.
Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, and Mooresville all have older tree canopies. Many homes were built among established oaks, maples, and pines. Over time, those trees grew larger. Root systems weakened. Limbs extended over roofs.
Then a storm hits. Wind gusts reach 50-60 mph. Saturated soil loosens root grip. And suddenly your neighbor's oak is in your living room.
Lake Norman waterfront properties face additional risks. Open water creates a wind tunnel effect. Gusts accelerate across the lake and slam into shoreline trees with extra force.
We've repaired hundreds of tree-damaged roofs across the region. From massive whole-tree incidents to smaller branch punctures. Every situation teaches us something new about protecting Charlotte homes.
In the chaos of a tree hitting your roof, people make understandable mistakes. Here are the ones we see most often:
We get it. You want to see what happened. But a compromised roof can collapse without warning. Even experienced roofers approach tree-damaged roofs with extreme caution. Stay on the ground.
Tree services remove trees. That's their expertise. But they're not roofers. They might inadvertently cause additional damage during removal. Or miss critical roof issues that need attention.
"I'll call on Monday." "I want to see how bad it is first."
Don't wait. Open the claim immediately. You can always add details later. But missing your notification deadline can cost you thousands.
Initial insurance estimates often undervalue tree damage. They might miss hidden structural issues. Or lowball repair costs.
Get an independent estimate from a qualified roofing contractor before accepting any settlement.
After major storms, out-of-town contractors flood the area looking for work. They offer quick fixes and low prices. Then they disappear, leaving behind poor workmanship and voided warranties.
Always verify:
Best Roofing Now is Charlotte-based, BBB A+ rated, and veteran-owned. We're not going anywhere.
Once your roof is repaired, let's make sure this doesn't happen again.
Have an arborist assess trees near your home every 2-3 years. They can identify:
Removing hazardous branches before they fall costs far less than emergency repairs.
The general rule: keep branches at least 10 feet away from your roof. This prevents direct contact during normal winds and reduces the debris that accumulates on shingles.
Some trees are just too close, too large, or too unhealthy to keep. Removing them proactively eliminates the risk entirely.
A yearly inspection helps us spot vulnerabilities before they become disasters. We'll check for damage from previous storms, wear patterns, and potential weak points.
Learn more about our maintenance services to keep your roof strong year-round.
Most standard homeowner's policies in North Carolina cover tree damage from storms, wind, or lightning. However, coverage varies. Some policies have separate deductibles for wind damage. Review your policy and call your agent to understand your specific coverage.
Generally, your own homeowner's insurance covers the damage to your property: regardless of whose tree caused it. Your insurance company may then pursue reimbursement from your neighbor's policy. Focus on getting your roof repaired first.
Quality emergency tarping can protect your home for 4-8 weeks depending on weather conditions. But it's a temporary measure. Schedule permanent repairs as soon as your insurance claim is processed.
It depends on the extent of damage. Minor repairs allow you to stay home. Major structural damage might require temporary relocation. We'll assess safety and give you honest guidance.
We serve all of Charlotte and Lake Norman, including Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Mooresville, Denver, Concord, Matthews, and surrounding communities. Call (704) 605-6047 for immediate assistance anywhere in our service area.
A tree on your roof is scary. But you don't have to face it alone.
Best Roofing Now provides 24/7 emergency response throughout Charlotte and Lake Norman. We'll guide you through every step: from that first panicked moment to the day your roof is fully restored.
Call (704) 605-6047 right now. We'll dispatch our emergency team and start protecting your home immediately.
You've got this. And we've got you.
Best Roofing Now
Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
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