Your home is probably the largest investment you will make in your lifetime, so it’s only natural that you would want to do everything you can to protect it from damage. From mowing the lawn to raking up leaves, we spend a lot of time and energy keeping our yards looking tidy, but we shouldn’t stop there.
Overgrown greenery, like vines, shrubs, and trees, can have a negative impact on the structural integrity of your roof. Overhanging trees are especially problematic and require careful maintenance.
Here’s what every homeowner needs to know about how to remove greenery from your roof and home, and why it’s so important.
Why Removing Overgrown Greenery and Overhanging Trees is so Important
Trees and other greenery provide a lovely setting for a home. They shade your home from the summer sun, and they provide gorgeous color in the fall.
But, as tempting as it is to let them grow unchecked, they can cause serious issues for your home… especially your roof. And, many people don’t even realize the damage is being done until it’s too late, resulting in expensive repairs that could have been avoided.
Here’s why removing greenery and trees from your roof and home is so important:
Branches from trees that hang over your roof can fall during a storm, doing some serious damage to your roof. Keeping overhanging and dead branches trimmed is crucial for protecting your home from storm damage.
Branches from trees or shrubs that rub up against your roof or walls can scratch and damage your siding and shingles. This could leave your home vulnerable to moisture damage, including leaks and rot.
Overhanging branches and climbing vines also give squirrels, bugs, and other critters easy access to your home. They’ll use them as a highway to find their way in, create nests, and raise their babies. Pruning branches and other greenery away from your roof is crucial for preventing unwanted guests from taking up residence in your attic.
The dense shade created by tree limbs is so nice in the hot summer heat, but it will also prevent moisture from evaporating in a timely manner from the surrounding area. This could allow moisture to sit on your roof, potentially causing decay and rot and leading to leaks and expensive repairs.
Fallen leaves and pine needles can also trap moisture against your walls and roof. Not only that, but they could clog up your gutters, causing them to back up during heavy rain.
How to Prevent Damage and Remove Excess Greenery
As you can see, paying attention to overgrown greenery is very important. The tips of tree branches should be at least six feet away from your home to prevent branches or debris from accumulating. If you have climbing vines, never let them climb up your siding or onto the roof. Use a trellis instead and keep them to a manageable height.
Any bushes, shrubs, or other greenery should be kept trimmed away from the sides of your house to allow for good airflow and to deter pests from using them as an entry point into your home. And finally, if there are any diseased trees or branches near your home, they should also be carefully removed.
Here’s what you need to do to prevent damage:
Use pruners or a saw to trim away smaller tree branches that are too close to the roof. If the branches are large, or you have entire trees or diseased trees that need to be removed, call an arborist or tree removal company for safety reasons.
Clean up any fallen debris that might be sitting on your roof or clogging your gutters. This can be done with a telescoping rake and gutter cleaning tool. If your roof is high, consider calling a professional roofer or tree removal company.
Use pruners to trim shrubbery, vines, and other greenery away from your home.
Final Thoughts
Removing overgrown greenery from your home can prevent structural damage and expensive repairs. Try to get into the habit of trimming trees and other greenery at least once per season, especially before a storm. And, if you suspect your roof is already damaged or if you’d like it inspected, Elite Roofing is here to help. Want to learn more? Be sure to check out Vlog #1 at https://www.eliteroofingincnj.com/vlog to see why it is extremely necessary to remove overhanging greenery from your roof!
Please contact us at (201) 436-1011 or via email at eliteroofinginc@hotmail.com for further assistance.