Tree Limbs, Shingles, and Debris: Safe Removal Without Making Leaks Worse

After a major windstorm, your roof can look like a warzone. It’s often covered in a dangerous mess of tree limbs, loose shingles, and other debris. Your first instinct is to get up there and clean it off to assess the damage.

This is a critical moment. Improperly removing debris can be incredibly dangerous and can turn a small leak into a major one. Safety and preventing further damage are your only two priorities.

SAFETY WARNING: Do NOT go on your roof, especially a steep or multi-story roof, after a storm. It is slippery, unstable, and you may not see structural damage (like a cracked rafter) before it’s too late. These tips are for professionals or for debris that can be safely reached.

The Cardinal Rule: Don’t Make the Leak Worse

Your goal is to remove weight and debris, not to dislodge the “plug” that might be keeping water out.

Rule 1: For Punctures (Limbs Stuck in the Roof)

If a branch has punctured your roof and is sticking into your attic, DO NOT PULL IT OUT.

• Why? The branch is acting like a temporary plug. Pulling it out will open a gaping hole for water to pour in.
• The Safe Method:
  1. Go into your attic (if safe) to see where it came through. Place a bucket underneath it.
  2. From the outside, safely cut the branch flush with the roof deck. Leave the “stump” in place.
  3. Tarp or (preferably) shrink wrap over the entire damaged area, including the stump.
  4. This seals the area and stops the leak, allowing a roofer to do a permanent, structural repair from both the inside and outside when the time comes.

Rule 2: For Heavy Limbs Lying on the Roof

If a large limb is simply resting on the roof, the danger is the weight and the “dam” it creates.

• Why it’s a Threat: The limb will trap water and leaves, creating a pool that will force water under your shingles. The weight can also cause structural damage.
• The Safe Method:
  1. Start from the end of the limb (the leafy, lighter part) and cut it into small, manageable pieces.
  2. Work your way back to the heavy trunk, removing weight as you go.
  3. Lift, don’t drag. Never drag a heavy, jagged limb across your roof. You will rip off hundreds of shingles and granules. Lift the pieces up and off.

Rule 3: For General Debris (Leaves, Shingles, Siding)

This is the most tedious part.

• What to Use: A leaf blower is your best friend for leaves and pine needles. For loose shingles, siding, and other trash, you must pick it up by hand and put it in a bucket.
• Don’t Be Abrasive: Do not use a metal rake or stiff-bristled broom. You will scrape off the protective shingle granules, dramatically shortening your roof’s lifespan.

The Final Step: The Temporary Enclosure

Once the debris is cleared, you will be able to see the full extent of the damage—punctures, missing shingles, and cracked decking.

This is not the time for a blue tarp. A tarp cannot be properly secured around punctures and complex damage. It will leak.

The professional solution is a shrink wrap enclosure. We can install a single, seamless membrane over the entire damaged section. It doesn’t matter if there are holes, stumps, or missing shingles. The wrap seals everything, is 100% waterproof, and is warrantied for a year, giving you the time you need to get a proper repair.

[Got roof damage? Call StormWrappers. We’ll handle the safe removal and a waterproof enclosure, all in one visit.]