While looking around your home, be watchful for encroaching tree limbs. Tree limbs can cause damage to the structure's exterior finish material such as siding, and roofing material.  Keeping the tree limbs cut back 5-10 feet is recommended.  Tree limbs in close proximity to the dwelling can provide a platform from which squirrels or other rodents can gain access to the homes attic area. Once inside, they can do significant damage as they gnaw on your roof's framing members. They can also disturb insulation and damage electrical wiring. So it's important to keep tree limbs and branches a safe distance away from the structure. Tree limbs can also cause roof damage if allowed to get too big and then hang precariously over your home. This scenario can easily turn into a homeowner nightmare. Last year we had some storms that toppled very large trees in my area of Delaware county. You won't believe the damage a large tree can cause to your home if it is too close.  The damage shown above, was caused by only a medium sized tree branch.

You should also maintain your shrubbery at least a 12" away from the exterior. The primary reason for this is to maintain clear visibility of the building's exterior.  You don't want to provide shelter for insects to gain access to the home undetected. You want to be able to see if there are openings in the exterior siding that have been made or mud tubing that has been constructed to penetrate the home. Far too many homes are found with planters and shrubbery planted too close to the home's foundation.

Shrubbery and plants should be kept off of house