5 Reasons Why Trees Are NOT Roofs’ Best Friends

Photo from Pexels - Nicolas Veithen

The roof is an important part of the house, and the explanation goes beyond what you always thought. 

It serves as a protection over your house’s entirety and literally over your whole family. From the heat of the day, you are shielded. From the cold of the night, you are covered. Surely, the roof plays a significant role in your house and your home.

While your roof is doing a great job in being functional as it should be, not everything goes well with it. Trees, to be specific, are not its friendliest neighbors. 

It’s undeniable that the roof usually gets in close and direct contact with trees that surround your house. Especially the tall ones overshadow your roof. While it somehow seems fine, the roof isn’t always favored for having those trees near, around and on it. 

Below are 5 reasons why:

[1] Tree Branches Scratch

It’s without a doubt that the roof and its surroundings get messy because of the trees above and/or beside it. Fallen particles become dirt. As they gather and as you keep them there, not cleaning them up immediately, they will form bigger and nastier dirt eventually. 

Unfavorably, sometimes, trash brought by strong winds are flown up there too. It seems like a movie, but you will just get surprised because that happens in real life. 

What’s worse, your roof will become a breeding site for insects and other unwanted parasites such as termites because of the dirt that has grown and that has not been removed. 

You must be tidy in and out of your house. When you see that your roof is slowly becoming unpleasant to the eyes (or to the nose), do not hesitate to clean it. Dirty roof makes your house look old and dirty as a whole. It actually tells those who pass by something about the kind of people that live inside that house. You don’t realize, but your house, especially what’s outside is a reflection of what’s inside, literally and figuratively.

[2] Fallen Elements Become Dirt

 

It’s without a doubt that the roof and its surroundings get messy because of the trees above and/or beside it. Fallen particles become dirt. As they gather and as you keep them there, not cleaning them up immediately, they will form bigger and nastier dirt eventually. 

Unfavorably, sometimes, trash brought by strong winds are flown up there too. It seems like a movie, but you will just get surprised because that happens in real life. 

What’s worse, your roof will become a breeding site for insects and other unwanted parasites such as termites because of the dirt that has grown and that has not been removed. 

You must be tidy in and out of your house. When you see that your roof is slowly becoming unpleasant to the eyes (or to the nose), do not hesitate to clean it. Dirty roof makes your house look old and dirty as a whole. It actually tells those who pass by something about the kind of people that live inside that house. You don’t realize, but your house, especially what’s outside is a reflection of what’s inside, literally and figuratively.

[3] Fruits Drop

Wikimedia Commons - Mir Ripon

It’s delightful and favorable when the trees near your house bear fruit. That means you don’t have to buy what’s already there, when they’re ready to be picked. Sometimes, however, fruits just drop from the trees. That’s amazing, but unfortunate in two ways.

One, if it aims the ground, the danger is when a person is walking by. He or she might get hit on the head. Two, if it aims your roof, it’s safer for people but somehow unlikable for your roof. Especially if it happens all the time, your roof might not agree with it. 

Fruits like santol, mango and apple are some. Depending on the impact of the drop and depending on what area  it hits and lands, your roof might experience some traumas, bruises and distortions. Specifically if some portions are weak materials. 

[4] Leaves Clog 

Flickr_Lauren Finkel

Aside from branches and fruits, leaves fall on your roof. In fact, they’re the most often ones that do that! Yes, the leaves are light, and there’s no impact at all when they fall and softly smack your roof. They’re power, however, comes out when their quantity is big.

Many leaves that gather together clog the gutters of your roof. That’s a huge disadvantage because gutters are responsible in carrying water away from your house down to a proper drainage area. If the gutter is blocked, the flow will be in trouble. If the drainage system is restrained, water will run over onto the building and the foundation. Basement flooding comes next, and you don’t want that!

Be sure to schedule a roof cleaning. Terminate those leaves before they become the silent culprits for damaged roof shingles due to clogging in the gutters.  

[5] Animals Come and Live

Pixabay - ArtTower

Trees are home to several animals. While you might find squirrels, racoons and birds cute and tame, they can be quietly wrecking your roof, and you’re not even aware of it! 

Keep in mind that when your roof is dirty, some animals and parasites take that as a good opportunity for them to camouflage, hide and live there. Pests like rats and termites can build their homes on your roof. They can start destroying the parts of your roof, then your ceiling, little by little. Furthermore, insects take dirty areas as breeding sites to grow and multiply. That’s unhygienic and dangerous to your health.

It’s important to put a fair distance from trees to your roof. Again, clean your roof, and watch out for damages, holes and cracks where animals might begin making war with you.

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Roof and Trees

It is a must that you do not overlook the importance of your roof just because it seems alright. Taking care of it is required. You should do regular check-ups of it, so that you will know whether there are roof repairs, mending and improvements to be done. You should do something about maintaining your roof, not only when the storms are fast-approaching according to the weather report, but even when the sun’s up and bright!

You do not always notice since you are inside your house, but there are many things and elements that do harm your roof. Mind that the roof is not just on its own; it has so many parts that all have a powerful role in the whole house’s efficiency and lifespan.

Trees are just among the things that might not be best with roofs. Do your best to keep them away from your roof, without killing them as well. Significantly, if you already see some damages, make sure to act upon them immediately. Fix it or call roof repair experts. In that way, you will prevent further destruction on your roof and on your surroundings too. 

Though trees are not complete enemies with your roof, they also are not best friends.

AUTHOR BIO

Nicole Ann Pore is a writer, an events host and a voice over artist. Travel, health, shopping, lifestyle and business are among the many subjects she writes about. She also writes for Young & Co Roofing Manchester, an excellent roofing and cladding company in Greater Manchester. She graduated Cum Laude from De La Salle University Manila, Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts.