Your roof protects your home from the elements. However, its surroundings can wear on it—especially if you have nearby trees with overhanging branches. The guide below explains what sorts of damage these limbs can cause, when to call a roofer for help, and steps you can take to prevent problems.

How Do Trees Harm Roofing?

As beautiful as your tree looks covered in flowers in the spring or in red, orange, or yellow leaves in the fall, these growths tend to fall off. If the tree is too near your roofline, this debris can clog your gutters, stopping them from diverting rainwater away from your roof. When this happens, your roof and fascia become susceptible to water damage—speeding the need for an eventual roof replacement.

Leaves can also drop onto the shingles, creating a blanket that traps moisture. The shingles underneath will start to peel—and your wooden underlayment may begin to rot. 

Low-hanging branches may scrape at the protective granule coating on shingles, leaving them more vulnerable to wear from UV radiation.

They may provide a walkway for pests to get from your trees onto your roof. In severe circumstances, weakened branches might break off the tree altogether, puncturing your roofing.

How to Prevent Roof Damage

Major roof damage can be prevented by having overhanging tree branches—as well as any obviously dead or weakened sections—trimmed by professional arborists. 

Installing gutter guards will also prevent leaves and other debris from clogging your gutters—though you should still clean them out at least twice a year.

Lastly, after every major storm, have a roofer inspect your roof. They can repair any missing shingles or other signs of roof damage before they have time to worsen.

If you suspect tree damage to your roof, contact the experts at Pinnacle Roofing & Siding in Lincoln, NE. Performing both repairs and replacements, this contracting team offers free estimates and a 10-year labor warranty on all of their services. Visit their website to learn more about these roofers and their capabilities. Contact them at (402) 560-0232 to set up an appointment.