There are many things that we consider when we think about what might cause damage to a roof. Weather and wind, rain, snow, and debris are probably the most common ones. What might surprise you is that something as benign as fallen leaves can damage your roof and cause you major headaches. It may not seem possible, but when a lot of leaves land on your roof, then you are in for big trouble if they are not taken care of quickly.

During the autumn when leaves fall, they are often wet. When they collect on your roof, they collect even more water and clump together. They then can rot, and the moisture gets into the shingles and can cause rotting there, too. Then, as more water collects and drips down, it can leak into the building. What can also happen is that the weight of the leaves can cause an uneven distribution of pressure on the beams of your roof, which can weaken them.

There are some things you can do to prevent this, however. First of all, make sure that any trees growing near the house that have branches that overhang the roof are trimmed regularly. Not only will this mean there are fewer leaves, but the extra sunlight will help dry up the moisture.

Make sure to inspect your roof regularly as well. You do not have to climb up there. You can use binoculars to see if there are any clumps that need to be dispersed. Cleaning out your gutters is also important. If you absolutely need to get onto the roof to inspect or to clean the gutters, make sure to use a ladder that extends at a minimum 2 feet above the roof line. This will make it more stable, and also easier for you to step off onto the roof if you need to.

When it comes to your roof, leaves are not a trivial risk. Make sure that you do what you can to prevent the buildup of leaves on your roof, otherwise you could end up with a roofing repair bill that you were never expecting.

If you are in need of professional roof repair, do not hesitate to contact Central Roofing Company™. You can reach us online or by calling 763-572-0660.