Trees Can Damage Homes in Ways You May Not Expect

There are many benefits of having trees around your home. They beautify your landscape, they improve your property value, and they can help keep your interior temperature constant. Unfortunately, however, sometimes trees can damage homes. Hiring tree cutting services may be able to prevent this, but first, you have to know more about the potential dangers.

Roof Damage From Falling Branches

Severe weather can occur at all times of the year. Trees are generally pretty good at standing up to rough weather, but sometimes a large branch can snap off in the wind. Heavy snow or ice can put pressure on the branches until they cannot bear the weight anymore and break off. This is inconvenient in any circumstance, but if the branches extend out over the roof, they can be damaged when they finally come down. Damage to the roof structure can allow moisture in, which can lead to mould growth and water damage. Even if the damage only extends to the shingles and other superficial roofing materials, it can still cause big problems.

You may be able to prevent this by having any branches that endanger your roof pruned back. Professional tree cutting services can identify the branches that need to be pruned for the health of your tree and the safety of your roof.

Clogged Gutters From Falling Debris

Most damage to your home from trees isn’t so sudden and dramatic as a falling branch. Rather, it happens more gradually. For example, it is normal for trees to shed small twigs and bits of bark throughout the year. It happens so subtly and gradually that you may not even notice. However, all that falling debris can build up in your gutters. Because the gutters are over your head, you may not notice that this is happening, but if you do not have the debris cleaned out, it can clog the gutters so that water can no longer flow through them. The water may then spill over into your basement windows or seep under your roof. In the winter, it can cause ice dams that compound the problem.

Cracked Foundation From Overgrown Tree Roots

The roots of a tree spread out far from the trunk. They may even extend beyond the canopy, but you may not notice because most of the root system is underground. The more spread out the roots are, the greater stability the tree has in the face of strong winds and severe storms. The spread of the roots also allows them to find nutrients in the soil that they then transport back to the tree.

The problem can occur when a tree is planted too close to your house. The spreading roots can extend underneath the foundation of your home. This may not be a big problem at first but, as the roots grow, they put more pressure on the slab. This can cause it to shift, and if the pressure is great enough, the foundation may actually crack.

You may not notice the roots growing underneath the foundation. At first, they are small, and they grow underground. However, you probably will notice if the roots shift the foundation so that the floors of your home become uneven, or if they cause the foundation to crack. The foundation of your home supports all of its weight. If the foundation becomes unstable, it could compromise the structural integrity of your entire home.

Martin’s Provides the Tree Cutting Services You Need

Depending on the type of problem and its severity, some of these issues can be resolved by pruning alone, while others might require complete tree removal in Waterloo. Contact us for an assessment of the trees on your property and recommendations of the services you need.