LePage and Sons Roofing LLC

Trees can be a beautiful and valuable aspect of any yard, creating shade for your home and raising the value of your property. Despite the many benefits trees provide, they can significantly damage roofs on homes in New Bedford, MA, if not properly maintained. LePage and Sons Roofing LLC wants to ensure you know these risks. With knowledge, you can take appropriate steps to protect your roof from tree-related issues. Learn how trees can damage your roof and home and what you can do to prevent it.

How Trees Can Damage Your Roof

Despite their lovely shade, trees planted near your home can cause damage to your roof or your house. Scratched or broken shingles, discoloration or staining from sap leakage, or damage to the flashing from fallen branches could all be costly expenses. If you have solar panels, trees near your home could cause damage that requires solar roofing contractors to repair. Here is a quick look at a few of the major ways trees impact the security of your home. 

Fallen Branches

Large, dead branches can cause significant damage to your roof when they fall, particularly during storms with high winds. Removing these branches and thinning the trees is recommended to avoid a potential accident. Otherwise, with serious damage, a roof replacement could be in your future. 

Overhanging Boughs

Tree branches hanging over a home’s roof can be an attractive addition, but they pose some dangers. An overhanging limb is more likely to break and fall during a storm, either directly onto the roof or into something else on the property, such as a car or outdoor furniture. 

Leaf Buildup in Gutters

Leaves that fall from trees can become a source of roofing problems if not properly addressed. Leaves and other debris, such as seeds and twigs, are always pesky to remove, but they are especially problematic for homes with metal gutters as the debris can cause rust. When too much debris builds up in gutters, it also blocks water flow preventing moisture from being collected properly, which may lead to additional damage or leaks farther down the line.

Tears in the Flashing 

When branches rub against a house, they can tear through valley flashing, leaving areas vulnerable to potential water entering the home’s structure.

How Trees Damage Your Home’s Foundation

Tree roots can cause severe damage to the foundation of your home. These roots are constantly expanding, seeking water and nutrients for proper growth. They can eventually invade pipes and create small wall fractures that lead to plumbing issues or moisture concerns over time. Roots may also lift the foundation, unsettling the home’s structural stability.

Root Growth 

Roots grow underground and may cause shifts in the ground resulting in sloping or uneven surfaces. If roots are close to your foundation, this could put excess pressure on it and eventually cause serious damage, cracks and an unstable footing for your home’s structure. 

Lift Foundations 

As roots expand, they may even begin to lift the foundation and compromise its integrity, destabilizing your home’s construction and ultimately leading to costly repairs or complete reconstruction. 

How Trees Damage Siding

Trees can also cause damage to your home’s siding. If strong winds break overhanging limbs, they could scratch or dent your exterior. Weather conditions such as hail can also have a severe impact on your siding. Plus, trees attract wildlife that could cause cosmetic or structural damage to your home. 

Scratching

Birds, squirrels and other animals can also scratch and damage your home’s siding while perching or interacting with trees. 

Fallen Limbs 

Limbs that break in heavy winds can directly impact your home’s siding when they fall, causing dents and scratches. Furthermore, trees host various plant-eating pests or fungi, which could spread to other structures around the property. 

Wildlife 

Many animals live in trees, so their presence near your house may have unwanted side effects. Woodpeckers can sometimes cause extensive damage to siding if they become active in the area. Squirrels can chew through your roof to build nests in the soffits. If you suspect this is occurring, it is best to contact a pest control professional for removal services as soon as possible.

3 Ways to Minimize Tree Damage to Your Home

If you want to avoid emergency roof repair, you’ll want to minimize the potential damage trees pose. The best way to minimize these potential issues is to be proactive and regularly maintain your trees. 

Pruning Trees

Proper pruning is the simple act of removing dead and decaying branches and limbs that could cause damage in a storm. Large, unruly trees are more prone to breakage. Certain trees are also less hardy, making them more susceptible to damage during severe weather. Pruning can decrease the risk of fallen limbs. It also helps to increase air circulation, which is essential for healthy trees, which are more durable and less likely to cause damage. 

Planting Trees Away From Structures

When planting trees, be aware of their future size at maturity so you can plant them far away from your home. If you’ve moved into a property with existing trees and are concerned with potential damage, consider cutting down or moving trees and replacing them further from the structure. 

Installing and Maintaining Gutters

Ensure gutters are free of debris by checking them once a year to ensure they are free of debris that prevents proper drainage. In the event of a severe storm, this will help reduce the risk of water damage, resulting in less costly repairs. 

Protect Your Home With LePage and Sons Roofing LLC

The value of a tree can ultimately increase the value of any home, but homeowners in New Bedford, MA, need to know the damage trees can cause without proper maintenance. LePage and Sons Roofing LLC is here to assist with all your roofing needs so your property remains safe throughout the year. Contact us at (508) 295-6483 for more information on how we can help protect and maintain your home.