Massive Oak Tree Overhanging Roof
We came up against a formidable foe recently: a large tree that was hanging over a roof and completely blocking the guttering system with branches and debris! We could tell that the tree was some species of oak, because of the copious amount of acorns and the shape of the leaves, but with any type of tree there are going to be issues when branches are left to grow over a rooftop for a long period of time. Here’s how we took care of the problem…
Step 1: Gutter cleaning safety measures
Safety has to be at the top of your priority list when you’re planning on cleaning gutters or climbing ladders for any reason. First things first, we needed to make sure the area was clear of any other obstructions (aside from the tree itself, of course). Then, we chose a section of ground that was stable and not slippery where we set up our ladder. Choosing the right ladder for the job is important. For this single storey building, we chose a mid-sized ladder to make sure we weren’t off-balance or unstable throughout the cleaning/trimming process.
Step 2: Trim the branches around the roof


This part of the process took up a fair chunk of time, simply because of the sheer number of branches we had to trim. It’s really lucky that the owners of this property called us when they did because if the tree had been left to grow bigger and bigger, it would’ve gotten harder and harder for us to do our job. It’s important to address any gutter or roof cleaning work as soon as possible to avoid irreparable damage that may occur from waterlogged materials, mould, mildew or rust.
Step 3: Remove the debris from the roof and gutter


When we say debris, we mean piles and piles of the stuff. The roof was covered in leaves, acorns, twigs, and other bits and pieces that had been blown up there by the wind and caught in the branches of the tree or had simply fallen from the tree itself. Dead leaves are a major culprit when it comes to blocking gutters. They pile up like a dam wall, causing other things like nuts and seeds to get stuck as well, until the water simply can’t get through.
Step 4: Clear the gutter and sweep the roof


It was so satisfying to be able to get into this gutter and clear it out after it had been blocked up with years’ worth of leaves and other gunk. Flat rooftops tend to accumulate much more debris than sloping rooftops, so we grabbed a broom and gave the roof a good sweep to clear away excess leaves. Next time we visit this property, the gutter cleaning and roof sweeping process will be much quicker because we took the time to trim branches and do it the right way this time.
Step 5: Get rid of the rubbish


Once we finished the job, we piled up the leftover branches and boy, did they pile up! We were left with a huge, tangled mess but at least it was a huge, tangled mess that was OFF the roof and away from the gutters.
Is the roof of your shed, home or other building in Melbourne situated near trees? Maybe its time to get in touch with the Box Gutter Cleaning crew (that’s us!). We provide a full-fledged, affordable cleaning service so you can save time, money and effort when it comes to maintaining your home.
It doesn’t matter whether you own a residential or commercial property. We are well-equipped to deal with all kinds of gutter and roof cleaning scenarios.
Call us on 1300 BOX GUTTER (1300 269 488)