Tree removal is a common need following a hurricane. Rain makes trees heavier and soil looser, making it more likely that the heavy winds will knock over a tree or break off a tree limb. During this time, many homeowners wonder how difficult it would be to remove the tree themselves or if they should hire a professional tree removal service. The answer is: it depends.
Below, we'll detail the factors that can impact whether you need a tree removal service, what you need to know to help you make this decision, and the benefits that come from working with a service.
Hurricane Damage Checklist
To start determining whether you need a tree removal service in Augusta, you'll want to go through a hurricane damage checklist. There are a few key areas that are particularly susceptible to damage from trees during a storm.
First, give your roof a thorough examination. If a large tree near your home fell and landed on your roof, then you clearly need a tree removal service, but other situations are not as clear. Check the exterior for signs of damage, such as broken or missing shingles. Then, check the interior, looking for signs of damage inside, such as leaks or water spots. When large limbs break off trees, they can cause significant damage to your roof. A tree removal service can identify if more branches are likely to fall from nearby trees.
Next, check the power to your home. Fallen trees or tree limbs can interfere with your home's electrical system by knocking out the power lines running to your home. If this is the case, you won't want to remove the tree or branches yourself, as working near live power lines is dangerous.
Lastly, check your home's foundation. If the hurricane knocked over a large nearby tree, it could have caused a shift in the soil around your home. When this happens, pressure can cause damage to the foundation. Look for cracks in the walls of your home's basement, along with signs of water seeping into your home.
DIY Tree Cleanup: When It's Safe and When It's Not
After a hurricane, you may be able to do some of the tree cleanup on your own. The key factor to consider is whether it's safe. There are a few situations where you're better off calling a tree removal service, who can do the cleanup safely, rather than attempting to do it yourself. For example, when you're working with a large tree, you'll need special equipment to take it down. If you had an 18-foot tree break in half, for instance, you likely won't be able to remove this on your own simply because of its size.
You also won't want to remove trees in unsafe locations. Downed trees in precarious positions, such as on top of your home or into your home's power lines, require special attention and methods to remove them safely. Attempting to remove these trees on your own could result in injuries or further damage to your property.
Finally, if you need power tools to remove a tree or large limbs. and you don't have experience with these tools, you're better off calling a professional. Working with power tools like chainsaws is inherently dangerous and better left to the experts.
On the other hand, if you just have some small branches around your yard, or a small tree that got damaged during the storm, you may be able to remove these safely yourself. Just remember to use proper safety gear, like work gloves and safety goggles.
When To Call a Professional Tree Removal Service
After a hurricane, you'll want to call a professional tree removal service if the cleanup and restoration of your property is too much for you to handle alone. A tree removal service can help if you experience downed trees or broken tree limbs as a result of the storm. They can remove the damaged trees or debris from your home, no matter where it landed, allowing you to proceed with any further home restoration jobs you need to do.
You should also call a professional tree removal service if you're looking to reduce potential damage before the next hurricane. A tree removal service can inspect the trees around your home and provide advice as to whether you should remove certain trees or cut back some of the limbs. For instance, tree limbs that have extended over your home or through your home's powerlines should be cut back to avoid damage during heavy storms.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional Tree Removal Service
By hiring a professional tree removal service, you'll make hurricane restoration easier. You don't need to figure out how you're going to remove that large, damaged tree from your property or how you'll get those big tree limbs off your roof. A tree removal service will handle all that for you, making your life easier and helping you to avoid injuries.
Working with a professional tree removal service can also be cost-effective. In many cases, removing a tree or tree limbs requires special equipment or tools. Since you likely don't have these tools already, you would need to purchase them. Your home insurance may not cover the cost of these tools, while they do cover the costs of working with a tree removal service. In many cases, you'll save money by going with a professional service rather than trying to do it yourself.
Schedule Tree Removal in Augusta, Georgia Today
If a hurricane recently caused damage to a tree near your home in Augusta, Georgia, call for professional tree removal sooner rather than later. Hurricanes cause damage to many trees, and tree removal services quickly book up following a major storm. The sooner you call and schedule your appointment, the sooner the tree removal service can visit your home. Don't put yourself through the stress and potential injuries that come from attempting to remove a tree yourself, and instead work with a professional tree removal service in Augusta.
