How Trees Can Damage Your Roof

February 26, 2019 | General
How Trees Can Damage Your Roof

It’s always a joy to have nature near your home, and plenty of people like having trees in their garden and on their street. But, although they’re great to look at, they can cause serious damage to your roof if you’re not careful.

Since roofs are difficult and expensive to replace, it is important that you don’t let the trees around your home do yours any damage. To keep you informed, Avenir Roofing are here to take you through all the ways that trees can cause roof damage, that you may not have thought of.

Fallen Trees

One of the more obvious ways that trees can damage your roof is when they fall. Even a small or medium-sized tree can do a lot of damage, should it hit a roof. So if you have any trees around your house that are looking a little worse for wear, you may need them removing.

Storms or extremely windy weather can cause trees to fall, so it is best to check before this type of weather occurs, to make sure there are no trees causing a risk.

Leaves and Debris

Excessive build-up of leaves and debris can occur when you have trees too close to your roof. Not only does a build-up of debris look unsightly, but it can also cause serious damage. Layers of debris can trap moisture close to the roof, which can rot or warp the wood.

Rotting wood can be the start of a leak, which is costly and difficult to fix. To prevent this from happening, clear any debris off your roof regularly or find the source of excessive build-up and address the problem there.

Clogged Gutters

Clogged gutters can also occur as a result of an excessive build-up of leaves and debris. Since your gutters are responsible for draining rainwater away from your roof, clogged gutters can result in a damaged roof. If the rainwater has nowhere else to go, it can penetrate and break through your roof causing leaks and permanent damage that is hard to fix.

Again, it is best to carry out regular inspections of your gutters to clear anything blocking them. If the build-up of debris is as a result of trees near your home, you will either have to remove the trees, or stay on top of the debris as much as you can, to prevent excessive build up.

Moss and Algae

Plants such as moss and algae thrive in damp environments, and if you have trees too close to your home, they can encourage the growth of these plants. This can happen if trees are hanging too low on top of your roof, or if the shadow of the trees is causing your roof to stay in the shade for prolonged periods of time.

Moss and algae can look unsightly on your roof, causing streaks and stains. The roots of such plants can also damage the shingles on your roof by uplifting them. If left unkept, it can cause serious damage. You should remove any moss or algae with special remover and get rid of any trees which may be causing it to grow.

Overhanging Branches

If the trees near your house have overhanging branches, this can cause serious problems, such as excess debris and too much shade which can cause clogged gutters, leaks and encourage the growth of pesky plants.

But, depending on the type of roofing you have, overhanging branches can scratch and damage your roof, weakening the material and reducing its lifespan. Not to mention the fact that scratches can ruin the aesthetic of your home. To prevent this from having an effect on your roof, simply trim and chop away any branches that are causing issues.

Animal Access

Branches that stretch to your roof can give animals access to your property. If squirrels and other such animals can get to your roof, they can cause damage to your entire home. To avoid this, remove any branches that stretch all the way to your roof, clearing the area and removing their pathway. 

At Avenir Roofing, we believe that EPDM membrane is the best solution if you have flat roofing because it can withstand many of the issues that having trees close to your home can cause. EPDM is super strong, resists the growth of moss and algae and is easy to maintain.  Learn more by browsing the rest of our blog.


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