30 Most Common Foreign Items We Find on Roofs

Wondering where one of your favorite loafers went 2 years ago? Somehow it ended up on the roof. 😂

When it comes to rooftops, the sky’s literally the limit for the oddities that might accumulate there. Whether swept up by the whims of the wind or left behind by forgetful humans and animals, a variety of unexpected items can find their temporary homes on our roofs.

From the whimsical to the downright bizarre, roofers and homeowners regularly encounter a quirky collection of items that can range from lost frisbees to stranded wildlife.

Here’s a list of the the top 30 most common foreign objects discovered on roofs, shedding light on just how these items ended up above our heads and the amusing or perplexing stories they might tell if they could.

1. Flying Discs (Other than Frisbees) – Often part of active play in nearby yards, these can easily get tossed onto roofs during a game.
2. Model Airplanes – Small, lightweight model planes can crash-land on roofs during a mismanaged flight or gusty winds.
3. Sports balls – Soccer balls, baseballs, or basketballs often land on roofs during vigorous play in the yard.
4. Children’s toys – Wind, playful throws, or curious animals can transport small toys to the roof.
5. Tools – Left behind by careless workers or blown up from nearby construction sites.
6. Bird nests – Birds frequently build nests in secluded roof corners, especially under eaves.
7. Dead birds or other animals – Sometimes animals die unexpectedly and are found on roofs due to natural causes or predation.
8. Shoes – Often end up on roofs from pranks or accidental throws.
9. Garbage and litter – Lightweight trash like plastic bags can be lifted by strong winds and deposited on roofs.
10. Drone crash remnants – Drones may crash onto roofs due to operator error or technical malfunctions.
11. Fireworks debris – After celebrations, spent casings and other debris can land on roofs.
12. Christmas decorations – Lights and other decorations may be blown out of place or forgotten after the holiday season.
13. Construction debris – Materials like nails, shingle pieces, or wood scraps can be left behind after roofing or building work.
14. Satellite dishes – These can become dislodged from their mounts during storms.
15. Antennas – Similar to satellite dishes, antennas can also end up dislodged or broken.
16. Bottle caps and small plastics – These items can be carried by wind or birds and dropped on roofs.
17. Shingle granules – Not exactly foreign but can accumulate and be mistaken for sand or dirt.
18. Broken glass – From nearby window accidents or broken lights, found especially after storms.
19. Tarp pieces – Tarps used to cover leaks or during construction may tear and leave pieces behind.
20. Flags or pieces of fabric – Torn from flags or clothes hung to dry, these can end up on roofs during windy conditions.
21. Kites – Windy days can send kites off course and onto nearby roofs.
22. Plastic bags – Lightweight and easily airborne, they get snagged on roof fixtures or antennas.
23. Signage – Blown from commercial or residential signs during high winds.
24. Rocks or gravel – Sometimes thrown onto roofs by mischievous individuals or moved by environmental factors.
25. Garden decorations – Decor like wind chimes or garden gnomes might be lifted during strong winds.
26. Easter eggs – During Easter egg hunts, plastic eggs can inadvertently end up on lower roofs.
27. Fishing lures or line – Can be carried by birds or the wind and accidentally dropped on roofs.
28. Weather vanes – These can become detached from their original setting and found discarded on roofs.
29. Other miscellaneous decorations – Additional decorations specific to festive seasons, often misplaced or left lingering.
30. Paintbrushes or paint cans – Left by absent-minded homeowners or workers during exterior house painting.

We don’t judge.

These objects usually end up on roofs due to natural elements like wind and storms, accidental throws, or activities near or around the house. Regular roof inspections are helpful to remove these objects and prevent potential damage.

These items further illustrate how varied and surprising the things found on roofs can be, reflecting both human activities and natural forces at play.