Trees are an excellent addition to your home’s landscaping for numerous reasons. They add to the aesthetics of your home, provide important shade on hot days (which can even help lower your utility costs), and have a positive environmental impact.
However, trees can also cause issues with your roof.
As an experienced local roofing company in East Texas, Steele Roofing has seen about all there is to see in terms of the benefits—and drawbacks of trees when it comes to their impact on your roof health.
If you’re thinking about planting trees near your home or even buying a home that has mature trees close to the home and/or impacting the roof, it’s important to take certain things into consideration. In particular, how the tree growth could create issues for you (and your roof) down the road.
Here are some simple solutions to avoid roof damage caused by trees: seasonal roof preparation, professional roof inspections, and the help of your professional East Texas roofing company.
There is a myriad of ways trees can impact and damage a roof. A few things to look out for are:
Tree Branches Touching or Directly Over Your Roof
Tree branches that are in contact with your roofing materials can, over time and especially with wind impact, compromise the integrity of your roof shingles. This abrasion can even create holes in your roof, leading to the need for possibly extensive repairs.
Make sure you’re maintaining the branches of the trees near and around your home so they don’t cause roof damage.
Debris Building Up on Your Roof
Leaves and branches can build up on your roof and in your gutters. When buildup occurs, it can cause a lot of problems.
The accumulation of leaves and sticks on your roof can cause moisture to accumulate.
Accumulating moisture is not something you want on your roof or in your gutters. For one, it’s an ideal environment for mold, mildew, and algae to grow. This is especially true in East Texas’ humid environment. If left for too long, this gathered moisture can even create leaks that impact more than just your roof.
Built-up debris can also cause issues with your gutters. Gutters won’t function properly if they’re clogged, and water won’t move where it needs to go.
Make sure you schedule regular roof cleaning for your roof and gutters to ensure this type of buildup doesn’t occur. It’s important to have a professional roofing company inspect and clean your roof, especially if you have trees over and around your roof.
Roof is Changing Colors
Another unfortunate side effect of having trees over your roof can be roof stains and discoloration, depending on the type of tree that’s over your roof. This can be caused by tree debris, pollen, sap, or pests.
If you’re noticing stains occurring, contact your local roofer for solutions.
Pests in the Roof or Attic
Trees are home to all sorts of creatures—some of which also might want to be guests in your home. Pests like termites, squirrels, and bees are examples of wildlife that inhabit trees and might impact your home. If you notice evidence of any of the above, it’s a good idea to call in the professionals to make sure your home doesn’t become overflow housing for unwanted insects or animals.
Storm Damage to Roof
High wind and tornado-prone areas like East Texas can be impacted by large falling branches and even the tree itself falling and damaging your roof. There are preventative measures you can take to help make sure this doesn’t happen, such as keeping the trees around and above your home pruned and maintained.
If storm damage does occur, it’s important to have a local roofer available who provides services such as emergency roof tarping/repair, storm damage roof inspection, wind roof damage repair, and hail damage repair.
On the other hand, strategically planted trees can help create a windbreak for your home and roof, so it’s all about placement when it comes to trees near your home.
How to Keep Your Roof Safe
One of the most important ways you can help keep your roof safe from the impact of trees is to schedule regular roof inspections with a professional roofer.
If you have trees near your home, there might be damage you can’t spot from the ground. Regular inspections and professional maintenance are preventative measures that can save you money and hassle over time.
Undetected roof leaks can cause significant damage, leading to the necessity of expensive repairs or even a roof replacement. Leaks, as many people know too well, can also lead to structural damage to the walls, ceilings, and floors of the house itself.
Having a professional roofer with state-of-the-art equipment inspect and repair your roof can make a big difference to both your wallet and the security of your home and roof over time.
Contact your local East Texas roofing company today and schedule a cleaning and/or inspection for your roof. Give yourself peace of mind knowing that your roof and home are sound and secure.
