Placing trees in your landscape not only gives it an aesthetic upgrade, but also provides shade and clean air, and it prevents soil erosion. However, without proper care and grooming, trees can damage your property, which most often starts on the roof. In some cases, the damage can be severe, requiring roof repair. Enjoy the benefits of your tree without the drawback of roof damage by following these tips.

How to Prevent Roof Damage Caused by Trees

1. Keep Animals Away

As tree branches grow closer to your roof, they may invite critters like squirrels looking for shelter and a place to nest. These animals will scratch and bore holes in the roof to make their way inside your home. Keep branches at least 8 feet from your home so animals can’t make the jump. This is a potentially dangerous job, so hire a tree service to trim them back. 

2. Avoid Falling Branches

Extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains or strong winds can cause even relatively healthy tree branches to break and fall on your roof. Even smaller branches can cause scratches, cracks, and holes that allow water and other elements to make their way inside. To avoid roof repairs, hire a tree service to remove old or dead branches, which will appear discolored and withered. If the tree is dying, they may recommend removing it altogether.

3. Remove Spores Early

When trees grow large and provide a lot of shade, the moisture from rain or other elements can trickle into the gaps of roof shingles. This can encourage moss growth that slowly damages the roof and ruins its appearance and life expectancy. If you catch spores early, you’ll still need maintenance, but not necessarily roof repairs. Hire a professional to inspect and clean your roof. In addition to scrubbing the plant life away, you can install zinc strips to kill the moss.

If trees have gotten the better of your roof, get in touch with Peninsula Roofing, LLC. The family-owned and -operated company has been providing quality roofing services in Kitsap County for over 30 years. They offer roof repair and replacement as well as skylight installation among other services to residential and commercial clients. To request an estimate or other inquiries, send them a message online or call (253) 857-4441.