Protect the roof of your property from tree damage
Trees in your garden can look great but can also be a hazard, and every year £1000s of pounds are spent to repair domestic roofs after tree damage.
If you are lucky enough to be able to choose a home with a garden, don’t be charmed by that mature tree growing close to the house. Without proper care and management, it could cause expensive problems.
Aren’t trees a beautiful part of nature?
Of course, trees give lovely shade in the garden and the house, keeping it cooler in hot weather.
The shade also protects your roof from UV damage which can cause your roof materials to degrade more quickly.
The downside of trees near the house
In some circumstances, trees that are too near your house run the risk of falling on the house in a high wind.
That’s the disaster scenario, but no one wants to risk spending up to £5,000 for a new roof.
In fact, fallen branches and leaves are more likely to cause various problems for you as a householder.
So what can you do to prevent your beautiful tree from causing damage to your property?
Give your tree a regular health check
Even to the untrained eye, there may be telltale signs that a tree is ailing, making it more likely to fall or for substantial branches to break off a storm.
Watch out for;
- Deep slits in the trunk
- Branches with large amounts of fungal growth. Fungus thrives on dead wood
- Discolored leaves in the summer could be a sign of disease
- A tree that is leaning over. This growth pattern may indicate problems with the tree’s root structure and suggest that it is unstable
- Peeling bark is natural in some species, like the birch, but it could be a sign of poor health in others
Call a tree specialist for advice if you suspect your tree is ailing.
What else can you do to avoid tree damage to your roof?
Even if your tree is unlikely to fall, it could cause a host of other issues which need to be managed.
Many trees thrive on vigorous pruning, and cutting back branches that hang over the roof will prevent the following.
Moss and lichen
Shady areas on your roof under tree branches are the ideal breeding ground for mould, algae and lichen, all of which can cause damage to the roof materials by retaining water and encouraging timbers to rot. Improve a roof offers a roof cleaning service that can help if your roof is affected in this way.
Pests
Branches allow squirrels, birds, insects, and other pests to access your roof space. Squirrels are always looking for a warm nest and can be very destructive to wiring if they set up home in your eaves.
Branch fall
Of course, in high winds overhanging branches can fall and damage your roof.
Leaf build-up
In the Autumn, leaves will fall directly onto your roof. Wind and rain will carry them into your gutters and downpipes, preventing water from draining correctly. Blocked drains and gutters have the potential to cause leaks in your house. Improve a Roof’s cleaning service includes a thorough cleanse of guttering and could help you to prevent blockages.
How to prevent future problems
If you still have young trees near the house, you could train them to grow away from your roof by pruning them regularly.
How Improve a Roof can help
Our regular cleaning and inspection service will help to protect your roof from algae, moss, lichen, and environmental debris. We can alert you to any cracks or potential problems before they become too severe and expensive.
We provide roof cleaning services in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, North Wales, Derbyshire, Shropshire, and Staffordshire.
Call us NOW on: 0800 046 9686 for a free, no-obligation quotation.