If a storm just rolled through and a branch hit roof, it can be pretty unsettling. In Knoxville and across East Tennessee, strong winds and big trees make this a regular headache for homeowners. The good news is you can take simple steps right away to protect your home and then let our crew handle the roof evaluation.
Stay Safe And Look For Immediate Danger
Start with safety. Before you think about cleanup, step back and look at the area around your home.
If you see these warning signs, keep everyone outside and away from the damage:
- Sparking or downed power lines near the tree or roof.
- Strong smell of gas.
- Sagging roof sections, loud creaks, or cracks inside.
Call 911 or the utility company in those cases. Don’t climb on the roof or try to cut heavy limbs yourself.
Protect The Inside Of Your Home
Next, look inside for a roof leak after storm activity. Walk through the rooms under the impact area and check ceilings and walls.
Move furniture, electronics, and rugs away from any drips or stains. Set out buckets or pans to catch water. If you see moisture around light fixtures or outlets, turn off that circuit at the breaker panel and avoid using those lights until things are checked.
If a ceiling looks swollen and ready to give way, stay out of that room. Wet drywall can fail suddenly.
How To Inspect Your Roof From The Ground
You don’t have to get on a ladder to spot many problems. After the storm passes, walk slowly around your house and look up at the roof from different angles.
Watch for:
- Missing, cracked, or curled shingles near where the limb landed.
- Dark bruises, dents, or bald spots in the shingle surface.
- Bent or pulled away metal flashing around chimneys or vents.
- Sagging or uneven sections of the roof line.
Also check your gutters and downspouts. If the branch crushed a run of gutter or tore it loose, water will not drain correctly. If you notice damage, our team can talk with you about new seamless gutters as part of a larger project.
Checking Attic And Interior For Hidden Damage
If it’s safe to do so, take a flashlight into the attic. Look for daylight coming through the roof deck, damp insulation, wet spots on rafters, or musty smells. Back in the living space, keep an eye out for fresh water rings on ceilings, peeling paint, or new cracks near the damaged area.
These small signs can show you need a storm damage roof inspection even if the branch looked “minor” from the yard.
Removing The Branch Without Hurting The Roof
Homeowners sometimes make things worse by yanking a limb off the roof. Large branches or a whole tree should always be handled by a tree service or emergency crew. They have the equipment to cut sections and lift them away without dumping extra weight onto the shingles.
For small, loose sticks near the edge of the roof, you can gently pull them down from the ground with a long handled tool. Avoid walking on the roof or dragging branches across the shingles, since that can scrape granules and shorten roof life.
Once the debris is gone, a roofing contractor in Knoxville, TN can tell you what the impact really did to the roof system.
Plan Your Next Roof Step With Mountain View Exteriors
As a local Knoxville company with decades of roofing experience, we help East Tennessee homeowners sort out storm damage and plan long term solutions. If your inspection shows significant shingle damage, we can walk you through options like our asphalt roofing systemsor long lasting metal roofing choices, depending on your home and budget.
We work all over East Tennessee, and you can see our service locations across the Knoxville area.
If a recent storm left a branch on your roof or you suspect hidden damage, reach out for a professional look. Contact us today to contact Mountain View Exteriors and schedule a free storm damage roof inspection.