How Do Overhanging Tree Branches Damage a Roof on Long Island?
Overhanging branches may look picturesque, but they can damage your Long Island roof in several ways:
- Physically stripping away the granules on your shingles.
- Causing impact damage if limbs break during a storm.
- Causing moisture damage from the buildup of leaves and organic debris.
Roofing contractors on Long Island recommend having at least 10 feet of clearance between tree branches and your roof. Learn how serious these problems can be, and talk to Renew Roofing Solutions if you think a tree on your property has damaged your roof.
Abrasions and Shingle Granule Loss from Tree Limbs
Branches that sway too close to your roof can contact the surface and scrape against the shingles every time the wind blows. This constant contact will gradually wear away at the protective granules on asphalt shingles. Once the granules are gone, the roof is exposed to UV damage and moisture.
This kind of wear can happen gradually and is easy to miss, so the best way to prevent it is simply trimming the limbs back away from your roofline.
Impact Damage from Falling Limbs
As strong as a tree may look, there’s always a real risk that heavy wind or a violent nor’easter could rip a limb off and send it crashing into your roof.
Limb damage can be extreme, requiring the replacement of a large section of your roof. This type of damage also has additional costs if it’s raining heavily at the time of impact. Water entry can compromise the structure of your home, destroy furniture and personal items, and damage the interior finishing or electrical wiring.
Removing tree limbs near the roofline is the best way to protect your home, but if you find yourself in an emergency situation, Renew Roofing Solutions is available for storm damage roof repairs in Suffolk and Nassau Counties.
Roof Moisture Damage from Falling Leaves
Leaves, needles, and small twigs and branches that fall on your roof will collect in valleys and gutters more often than they slide off. Once there’s an obstruction, more debris accumulates around it, creating a real risk of moisture damage.
If there’s organic debris on your rooftop, it will absorb moisture when it rains, creating wet patches that can penetrate into the lower roof layers. If debris collects in gutters, it can cause blockages that eventually overflow, causing damage to the roof, gutters, and soffits.
Pine needles are particularly problematic. They create acidic conditions when left to get wet, which can prematurely damage the protective layer of asphalt shingles.
If you see debris on your roof, have it cleaned as soon as possible. If your gutters overflow when it rains, have them cleaned to prevent problems. You can also have gutter guards installed to prevent debris buildup in the long gutter runs and downspouts.
Talk to a Licensed Roofer on Long Island if You Suspect Tree Limbs Have Damaged Your Roof
Even if you’ve just trimmed the trees around your property, you might notice signs of damage on your roof like wet spots, dark patches, or missing shingles near where the limbs were overhanging. Renew Roofing Solutions can send a licensed roofing contractor to your home to inspect the roof and gutters for any damage. We provide roof repair and inspection services to keep your home protected from Long Island’s rain, strong winds, intense sunlight, and heavy snowfall.
Talk to a roof repair expert near you in Suffolk or Nassau County by calling us at 516-212-0307 or 914-415-7702.