Animal Damaged Roofs: It’s Not Just Weather That Causes Roof Damage
Everyone knows that weather damages roofs, but have you ever thought about roof destruction caused by animals? Animals like squirrels, raccoons, birds, rats, bats, and other small creatures can do a lot of damage.
Squirrels will chew through anything! Things like wood, aluminum, electrical wires, shingles, vents, and insulation. Often times, squirrels will chew through shingles and use insulation, drywall, wood, and more to build nests in roofs and attics. These nests can extend several feet, and large numbers of dry nests combined with squirrels’ wire chewing create an extreme risk of fire. Additionally, squirrels attract ticks and fleas which begin to accumulate in their nests and are passed on to people and pets in the home. To get rid of squirrels, it’s not as simple as removing the adult squirrels and plugging up the holes. They will just come back and rip the holes again, especially if they have young in their nests. You have to remove the nests, the adult squirrels, the baby squirrels and completely seal the building to prevent them from re-entering.
Birds are famous for nesting anywhere they can find. Their houses can be built on roof vents, chimneys, soffits, and roofs. Nests that are built in, on, and around roofs create fire hazards. Nests that are thick and extend into places like vents or chimneys can be very dangerous because they can block the proper flow of oxygen and carbon monoxide can build up. Bird droppings can also be dangerous. Droppings are acidic and will corrode painted surfaces, and can be harmful if inhaled in excess. When you get rid of the birds, be sure to remove all the nests.
Raccoons easily destroy shingles, fascia boards, and plywood to gain access to roofs. They also get into chimneys (which can bypass chimney caps). Raccoons will chew through a lot of electrical wires, creating dangerous fire hazards. After breaking through the roof, raccoons make houses or burrows in the attics, which is a big nuisance for the owners because they are nocturnal and make a lot of noise at night. Fur and feces will cause a strong odor to form in the attic, especially at the entrance to the den. To get rid of raccoons, all animals should be removed from the roof and attic because if any pups remain after repairs are made, the mother raccoons will go through the same places to get to the nest. Raccoon damage in residential areas is very common.
Many animals are capable of damaging roofs and buildings, and for some animals it is extremely common. If you notice destruction or entry points on your roof, remove these animals from your home and hire a roofing service to ensure that the repairs are completed correctly and that it doesn’t happen again.
