Did you know that beautifully maintained trees can increase the value of your home by as much as 20%? While that’s good news for those with mature landscapes, trees that have grown too close to your home may cause structural damage to your roof, resulting in expensive repairs or replacement. That’s why the Boise roofers at Madison Roofing would like to provide you with the following tips for preventing trees from damaging your roof.
- Falling. If a tree is structurally damaged or unstable, it could potentially fall on your roof during extreme weather.
- Low-hanging branches. If trees aren’t regularly pruned, branches may hang over your house and scratch your roof’s outer protective layer.
- Falling branches. Falling tree branches can seriously damage your roof as well as harm people below. Allowing them to pile up on your roof can also lead to dents and scratches.
- Twigs & Leaves. Twigs and leaves can accumulate on your rooftop and in your rain gutters, which can cause water to back up, damaging the structural integrity of your roof.
The Ideal Distance Between Trees & Your Roof
A good rule of thumb is to maintain at least six feet between your home and nearby trees. That’s why it’s important to plant trees at least 20-30 feet away from your home. You may also want to check your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if there are any requirements about tree distance. While insurance providers typically cover roof damage from trees, they might not cover you if you were negligent by allowing trees to grow too close to your home or failed to have them pruned regularly.
Tips on How to Prevent Trees From Damaging Your Roof
- Have branches that are too close to your roof pruned by a certified arborist. They have the training and experience to get the job done safely and efficiently. However, if they need to remove more than 25% of a tree, you may need to have it removed altogether to prevent it from dying and falling over.
- Remove unstable trees by hiring a certified arborist who knows what they are doing to protect your home and property from damage.
- Correct issues when a tree is still young. Minor pruning does less damage than large cuts while encouraging young trees to grow stronger crotches, which are the junction between the trunk and branches.
- Clean up debris. Remove tree branches, dead leaves, needles, and nuts from your rooftop and rain gutters to prevent structural issues, mold, mildew, and discoloration issues from developing.
Expert Boise Roofers You Can Trust
While you can do some of the things mentioned above, it’s important to hire a certified arborist if you need significant tree care or an expert team of Boise roofers for roof repairs or replacement. If you need residential or commercial roofing repair, maintenance, or replacement, contact Madison Roofing. We’ve been serving Treasure Valley clients for over 45+ years and take pride in putting our customers first. Fill out our online form or give our Boise office a call at (208) 344-5379 for a no-cost, no-obligation quote.