3 Ways Mature Trees Could Cause Problems For Your Roof If They Grow Too Close To Your House

Posted on: 23 December 2020

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If you chose your new home because you love the big, beautiful shade trees that fill the yard, you should be aware of the effect trees might have on the roof of your house. While shade trees are beautiful, they can be trouble sometimes, and you may not realize it if you're not used to owning property with mature trees. Here are three potential problems that you might experience with your roof because of trees.

1. Shade Encourages Algae And Moss

If your roof doesn't get enough sunlight, algae or moss could start to grow on it. Moss can cause roof damage because it has roots that dig into the shingles and the moss keeps the roof damp. Algae makes your roof look unattractive because it makes large black streaks on the roof.

If you start having trouble with algae and moss, talk to a roofer about solutions. There are products available for roofs that keep algae and moss away, such as a copper or zinc metal strip the roofer can put on the ridge of the roof.

2. Tree Debris Collects On Your Roof

Depending on the type of trees you have and the time of year, a lot of tree debris could accumulate on your roof and in the gutters. If leaves and twigs create a dam in your gutters, rain can't flow through and the rain might back up under the shingles instead. When you have a lot of trees in your yard, you'll probably need to devote extra time to making sure the gutters stay clear so they can drain properly.

Leaves, small branches, twigs, and other tree debris can accumulate on your roof too. Clumps of leaves might keep the roof damp, so it's important to keep them cleaned off the roof. Plus, branches might damage the shingles when they fall, especially if they're slammed against the roof in high winds or when they're coated with ice in the winter.

3. Trees Give Squirrels Easy Access To Your Roof

Another problem with trees being close to your roof is that they provide a way for wildlife to gain access to your roof so they can chew through it to get in your attic. Squirrels, raccoons, and rats all climb trees regularly and may use your roof as a pathway to go from trees in the backyard to trees in the front yard.

All that scampering with sharp claws wears down the granules on roofing shingles. Even worse, if the animals detect warm air coming from the attic, they may start gnawing around on the roof to get inside and then you have to deal with a roof leak.

Contact a company like Toth Roofing if you need your roof repaired due to damage from trees.