A mature tree can be a statement piece to your home’s landscaping. It conveys a sense of permanence and can be more useful than a young sapling, but mature trees can also play a part in reducing the lifespan of your home’s roof. Here are six ways a mature tree can create problems with your home’s roofing system.
Shade
While mature trees are great for providing shade on hot days helping to cool the entire home, too much shade can provide the perfect environment for mold and moss growth. Moss is a collection of flowerless plants that thrive in damp and shady environments. Moss can spread quickly and add weight to your roof while shortening its lifespan. Roof moss can be prevented by cutting back those branches that hover over your roof, cleaning gutters and having your roof inspected yearly.
Falling Leaves
It’s a well-known fact that trees shed their beautiful leaves every fall and leave them scattered all over your grass or patio space. Although a leaf blower or rake can easily remove these, there’s a good chance that some of these leaves have ended up on your roof, and subsequently in your gutter system. If left untouched, these leaves can cause a clog in your gutters and result in damage to the system. It’s a good idea to check your roof and gutters for leaves and debris several times a year to ensure that your gutters don’t become clogged and can function properly to protect your roofing system from water damage.
Instability
If you’re noticing a tree that looks a bit unstable, or is very matured, it is your responsibility to inspect and determine if there is a threat of the tree falling on either yours or a neighbor’s property. There are many tree experts that can help you determine if your tree is a hazard or in danger of falling, simply search for an arborist in your area to get a professional opinion.
Lightning
If you live on a hill and have some of the tallest trees in your neighborhood, that sounds pretty cool. However, this does increase your chance of a lightning strike. Since lightning strikes the tallest structure in the area, your tree might be at risk. A strike to your tree could definitely result in the tree breaking and falling, damaging anything near it. Although it makes sense to remove it, a professional arborist can install a grounding system on your tree for around $1,500.
Animal Habitat
Mature trees are attractive to many animals, especially if those trees are fruit or nut-bearing. Mature trees near your roof make for an easy way for those animals to get to your roof and cause damage to it. Trimming branches can discourage animals from making the leap from the tree to your rooftop.
Sap
Sticky sap that drips from a mature tree onto your roof can eat away at your roofing system and also disrupt the nature flow of water from your rooftop. Consider pruning or removing to avoid this sticky situation.
If you’ve had irreparable damage to your gutters from falling leaves or tree branches, call a Thompson Creek expert for information on our Thompson Creek Gutter system that never clogs. Our experts can help you access the status of your roof making sure there isn’t any damage from past storms, falling branches or storm damage, and provide you a free quote to replace your roof. Enjoy protection for 50 years and only the best quality gutter and roof installation. Visit our website to learn more today.