You don't have to be a forester to appreciate how trees can add value to a home. Shorter trees can frame a home like an exquisite picture while tall ones can create a graceful canopy. And all types of trees can add to your home's monetary value and make it more attractive to home buyers.

Beauty aside, trees pose some clear and present dangers to your home that you should be aware of and act upon before you need an emergency Las Vegas roof repair from First Quality Roofing & Insulation. Allow our roofing experts to educate you about these dangers so that you can be proactive about your home's most important life-safety feature: the roof.

Older and diseased trees can – and do – fall

This is the most disastrous scenario, so if you have a tall tree beginning to sag or lean, it's probably time to have it removed. It's a good idea to create an inventory of the trees on your property so you know the species and can monitor their age and health.

Trees with dangling and overhanging branches look great but also fall

The minute you hear a tree branch rubbing up against a window or the side of your home is the minute to call a tree trimmer. He or she can create the 6-foot “clear zone” to minimize the risk of a Las Vegas roof repair. It's also a good idea to check your home after a storm; strong winds can compromise branches in a snap.

Leaves and needles from trees fall on the roof and into gutters

Leaves and needles that fall onto your roof may eventually decompose, but then they can breed mold, which eats away at roofing materials such as shingle and shake. A buildup in the gutters is equally problematic. When water doesn't drain from the gutters, it often backs up onto the roof and, in only a matter of time, into a home. Next to a tree crashing into a home, roof leaks from water buildup are one of the most common type of Las Vegas roof repair we undertake at First Quality Roofing & Insulation. The ordeal can be traumatic and costly – and avoided by keeping trees trimmed and the gutters clear.

Trees provide shade – but also spawn moisture

Many Las Vegas residents count on trees to block the rays of the sun and cool off their home, but a dense canopy is overcompensation. Your roof needs some sunlight so that the rays can kill mold spores. The solution: asking a tree trimmer to “thin out” the canopy so that some sunlight filters through.

Trees provide a safe harbor for animals

You may have noticed how quickly a squirrel can shoot up a tree – and onto the branches, which lead them straight to the roof. Many pests like making nests and burrowing into the roof or gutters, then finding ways into your attic and home. Rats, birds and other pests share the same nesting qualities, pointing up the need to enforce the “clear zone.”

There is a lot to admire about a healthy, robust trees, but the team at First Quality Roofing & Insulation knows all too well the damage they can wreak if homeowners are not vigilant about maintenance. If you're worried about the integrity of your roof, don't take chances. Your roof is your best line of defense against the outdoor elements. Call us at 702-262-7847 for a roof inspection and put your mind at ease – and Mother Nature in her proper place.