First, make the area safe
Do not climb onto a roof, move a limb that is touching a power line, or pull debris through a broken roof opening. Keep people clear of the fall area. If the limb has opened the roof or water is entering the house, move belongings away from the leak and collect water in a safe container. The first job is preventing another injury or a bigger interior loss.
Take a short record before cleanup
From the ground, photograph the limb, the roof slope, nearby gutters, and any ceiling stain or water inside. Add a wide photo that shows where the damage sits on the house. Keep the date, weather conditions, and receipts for reasonable temporary protection. A photo record is useful whether the next step is a repair estimate, an insurance conversation, or both.
Temporary protection is not permanent repair
A tarp can reduce further water entry, but it does not diagnose the roof. The inspection still needs to check shingles, flashing, decking, gutters, and the attic side when safely accessible. A limb can scrape shingles without puncturing the deck; it can also create a small opening that only shows up during the next rain. A written scope should separate temporary protection from the repair that follows.
Questions to ask at the inspection
- Is the damage limited to one area, or did impact travel into a valley, penetration, or gutter?
- Is the roof deck exposed or soft?
- Can the repair integrate with the existing water-shedding layers?
- What needs to be protected before the permanent repair date?
When an insurance claim is involved
Read your policy before assuming coverage. Indiana’s Department of Insurance advises homeowners to document damage, keep records of communications and temporary-repair receipts, and avoid permanent repairs before the insurer has inspected the damage. That does not replace the policy language or your insurer’s instructions. It gives you a cleaner record for the conversation.
Next step: If the roof is actively leaking or the deck may be exposed, request a prompt inspection. If it is safe and dry, keep the photos and compare a documented repair scope before authorizing work.