If you have ever looked at a list of things to do to help protect your roofing in Downriver Michigan, you will see trimming trees as a must. But why are trimmed trees so crucial to your roof? There are several reasons why you don’t want to overlook this piece of maintenance.
Why Trees Are A Threat to Your Home’s Roofing in Downriver Michigan
Normally, trees don’t pose much of a threat to your home or your roof. They sway in the wind and provide shade which helps keep the home comfortable during those hot months. Unfortunately, when storms occur those trees can turn into a real danger for your home’s roof. Having trees themselves is usually okay if you take the proper precautions around your home. The biggest problem of all is trees that are not properly trimmed each year which invade the space around your home’s roof and ultimately can become a problem for the roof itself. Here’s why:
Debris
One of the reasons why you need to keep trees trimmed around your home is the risk of debris. Leaves, twigs, and even things like fruit or bird nests can all fall from the tree and onto your roof. When debris, especially leaves, land on your roof, you can end up sitting for days, or even weeks at a time. This provides a perfect place for moisture to get in and thrive, making it easy to work away at your roof.
Debris can also end up in your gutters, creating blockages. When gutters get blocked, you can end up with water overflowing and sitting on your roof. Moisture can make quick work of damaging your roof’s covering and working its way into your home to wreak havoc. By keeping trees trimmed, it decreases the likelihood of this debris falling onto your roof and helps prevent potential moisture damage.
Growth Damage
How trees grow is unpredictable, meaning that there is no way to know where the branches are going to end up. But if nearby trees are left untrimmed, you can end up with branches growing into your roof. This can be a slight scrape on your covering, or a serious problem with branches ruining your roof. By trimming branches, you prevent the trees from getting a chance to grow into your roof.
Impact Damage
Impact damage is never anything you want to see on your roof. Even a lightweight item can cause damage when provided with enough force. For nearby trees, you can see impact damage from branches of any size, as well as the whole tree. You need to not only trim your tree, but pay attention to the health of the tree overall. A sick or dying tree will be much weaker and may be blown over with enough force.
If your trees are not in good health, it is worth considering removing the tree all together. Trees in good health with strong roots can remain where they are, but need to have branches trimmed and you need to pay attention to any broken or weakening parts. These areas will be much more susceptible to being blown out of the tree and onto your roof.
Lack of Sun
Trees close to your home can also block out the sun from your roof. While direct sunlight can cause UV ray damage or extra heat in your home, sunlight is absolutely crucial in maintaining a healthy roof. You need to have access to sunlight in order to help dry any moisture that may be on it. If the moisture stays and no sun can get through, you can expect to see algae and even moss growth on your roof. This can lead to roof leaks over time, as well as a decrease in curb appeal. Sometimes blocking the sun during the summer can help the energy efficiency of your home but there are risks of doing so.
Get a Professional Roofing Inspection
If you’re concerned about the trees around your home and whether they are causing any type of problems for your roof it’s always best to get a professional roof inspection. One of the best roofing contractors in Downriver Michigan is All Point Construction. Be sure to call them today at 734-407-7110 for a free consultation.
