We spend a lot of time advising customers on the necessity of roof care in terms of extending the life (and warranty!) of their roof, as well as the structural components of their house or business. The trees that surround the structure are also a factor to consider. Trees have a significant influence on roofs, from leaves and twigs that clog gutters and cause water damage to branches that fall and harm the roof.
Things You Can Do To Prevent Tree Damage To Your Roof
For tree maintenance, seek the advice of a professional.
Any tree with a trunk or branches large enough to cause a problem with your roof should be trimmed, pruned, or restored by professionals. Consult a local arborist or tree specialist before making any physical alterations to a tree. They’ll come out and look at your trees, explaining what measures need to be taken to maintain the tree’s health and future development while also emphasizing roof and building safety.
An arborist may also advise removing or chopping down trees that have become compromised and are at risk of tumbling over. As you might expect, a tree that falls on a roof typically “wins,” and the roof and home are crushed beneath its weight.
Debris from the roof and gutters should be removed.
The “first line” of harm a tree causes to a roof is the accumulation of leaves and twigs. If you don’t perform proper roof care on an annual or seasonal basis, your roof will become damp, soggy, and leaky.
Those leaves and twigs may wash down into the gutters and clog them during a storm. Water penetration or possible leak damage affects both the roof system and the outside wall, as well as poses a risk to your foundation. The combination of tree litter and moisture can produce algal build-up over time, causing roofing materials to degrade.
Inspect shingles on a regular basis.
Unless you have a multi-story roof, in which case you should always see a professional, you may check the bulk of your roof’s shingles from ground level or by using a ladder in accordance with the manufacturer’s safety recommendations.
Broken and fallen branches, as well as overhanging branches that are blown over the shingles repeatedly, are renowned for scratching, chipping, and dislodging shingles. Because shingles are the first line of defense between your roof and rain, they must be fixed or replaced if they are broken or show indications of significant wear.
Annual tree maintenance, on the other hand, keeps branches cut and trimmed away from the surface of your shingles, extending the life of your shingles and lowering roof repair and roof replacement expenses.
Remove any limbs that are dead, weak, infected, or unsupported.
Massive limbs can grow on old and established trees. These limbs can grow to be as large as full-grown trees in some situations. These branches, as you might expect, may cause just as much damage to the roof as a fallen tree. Remove any limbs that appear to be threatening your roof.
The decision is made by a professional arborist or tree specialist, once again. Even limbs that appear to be in good health (with plenty of foliage) might have hollow cores. Only tree professionals can determine which limbs or branches should be kept and which should be removed, and they will plan tree maintenance appropriately.
Check for rodent infestations in the attic.
All of those lovely shade branches that keep your house cool in the summer and shield your roof from UV damage may also serve as rat highways. Once rats have established themselves in your attic, they can gnaw through structural materials such as wood, insulation, and sealant, causing additional roof and structural damage.
The good news is that those branches do not need to be removed. Rather, prune back branches far enough away from your roof so that troublesome rats aren’t ready to jump the distance out or down to your roof. Tall plants, bushes, and tree branches should be kept at least 6 feet away from the roof, eaves, vents, attic penetrations, and utility lines. The good news is that it also reduces the likelihood of shingle damage, as we discussed before.