Let’s Talk About The Birds And The Trees: Two Important Factors In Your Roof’s Health

When it comes to owning a home, there are so many factors that you must consider, but some things that we rarely think of is the impact birds and trees can have on your home. Taking those two factors into consideration can be very important to your home’s and specifically your roof’s overall health. Today we’re going to explore how you can protect your home’s roof from damage and debris from that not so funny duo of birds and trees. 

Let’s Start With The Birds

So, what kind of roof damage are we talking about here? Birds can actually be a large source of damage to your home and more specifically to your roof. Birds can make nests in your home’s gutters or under awnings which can bring a host of problems to your roof if not dealt with quickly.

Bird Gutter Damage

There are many species of bird that can be found nesting in your gutters and otherwise damaging the outside of your home, but the biggest offenders are house sparrows, starlings, woodpeckers, and pigeons. A bird making its home in your gutter can spell a lot of trouble for your home’s roof and surrounding areas. Nests can block water flow in gutters causing dams which lead to overspill of rainwater. 

Here are some issues that a bird’s nest in the gutter can cause:

• Mold and mildew buildup
• Wood rot and damage
• Damage to paint in surrounding areas, discoloration and chipping
• Insect infestation due to new holes in wood
• Water damage to siding and eaves and roof
• Damage due to bird droppings and other related debris
• Holes in the outside of the house, siding (from woodpeckers etc.)

How To Keep Birds From Making Nests In Your gutters?

As with many home improvement and maintenance related tasks, the best solution is prevention. You can stop a bird infestation in your gutters before it starts by keeping your gutters clean and free of sticks, leaves, and other debris that might attract a nesting bird species. Here are some other things you can try if you find that birds are still drawn to your home’s gutters whether or not they are freshly cleaned and maintained. 

Dealing with birds around your gutters. Quick tips:

• Try prevention first. Keep gutters and roof surface clean of sticks, leaves, and other unwanted items
• If prevention fails, try installing metal or plastic gutter guards that help keep your gutters closed off to everything except water and small bits of dirt that can easily get washed down your waterspouts 
• It may be time to replace your gutters and install more up to date gutters that can help reduce bird intrusion
• Make your yard away from your roof more attractive to birds. Set up feeding and nesting stations in the trees around your home to hopefully draw them away from your roof and gutters
• If all else fails, contact your local pest control company to get their assistance with unwanted nested birds

Now The Trees

Trees, along with birds, can go a long way towards negatively impacting your roof’s overall integrity and function. We want trees! Trees on your property help increase your home’s property value and can be used for everything from shading your backyard BBQ’s to providing a solid branch for your child’s first swing. They are great to have, but they can still negatively impact your roof if not properly kept in check. Here are some things to keep in mind when doing routine maintenance around your home this year. 

Become The Branch Manager

Keep tree branches on tall trees from hanging over your home’s roof. A branch overhang can lead to moisture build up and can cause gutter clogs and other damage to your roof from falling branches and leaves. Solution: Make sure that all overhanging branches are trimmed to be a distance of 6 feet or more away from your home.

Make sure branches are not coming in contact with the sides of your home or the roof itself. This helps prevent invasive pests like bugs, squirrels, and ants from being able to access your home through the touching branch. Branches that are too close to your house can also damage other things like windows and siding during periods of heavy winds and storms.

This also goes for man made structures like sheds, fences, and outdoor furniture. Make sure that nothing is coming in long term contact with your home. Solution: Same as above, but also make sure to look at any roots that are popping up near your home’s foundation. They could also be sources of foundation damage and pest infestations if left unchecked. 

Dealing with branches and tree limbs quick tips:

• Trim all branches that hang over the roof of your house. Check at least twice a year for new growth
• Make sure branches aren’t touching the sides of your house. Trim those at least 6 feet back as well
• Inspect and clean your roof at least twice a year to help keep it clear of leaves, sticks, and other debris

Our Focus Is You

At RoofingDirect.com our main focus is supporting you in your roofing and home maintenance needs while supplying you with the tools and materials that you need to get the job done. This commitment is why we offer our supplies online at affordable prices and with fast, free shipping on thousands of products. Everything you need is just a click away. Day or night, head over to RoofingDirect.com and shop for what you need for your next home improvement project.

Reach Out Today
Most importantly, our dedication to homeowners is why we have a staff of experts with real industry experience. Our team is ready to answer your questions and work with you to make sure you are getting what you need, when you need it, where you need it. Our team is ready to win your business on this job and the next one too.

Infographic