Did You Know Animals Can Be Causing Damage to Your Roof?

Roofers warn us against more enemies of the roof than one. Weather is one of the most obvious ones. However, an often-overlooked factor is roof damage from animals. Do you suspect some faunae have been paying regular visits to your roof? Before calling in the best roofing company in Oklahoma here is all you need to know about it.

What Animals Cause Damage to Your Roof?

• Squirrels

Chew Through Shingles and Underlayment. Damage Vents.

A squirrel frolicking on your roof is amusing but have you stopped to consider what damage they may be inflicting. Squirrels have unusually sharp teeth and will chew a hole through your shingles.

They move into the warm attics and vents to nest and will leave droppings and litter all around. Sometimes in the unfortunate event, a squirrel dies in the vents, your house will be smelling like a dead animal for weeks.

To deter the squirrels from chomping on your roof, you should take good of the shingles and replace any rotting, soft ones.

• Raccoons

Rip Apart Shingles and Attic Insulation.

Raccoons are larger and more dextrous than their rodent cousins. They look cute but don’t be fooled by that innocent face. They rip off shingles and leave large holes in the roofing, which they then use to access the attic. Once they have set up camp in your attic, they tear away the insulation.

If you don’t address the damage on time, you will have to deal with leaking and skyrocketing energy bills caused by the tattered insulation.

• Bats

Guano Accumulation And Associated Health Risks

Battinson won our hearts for sure but that is no reason to let bats win over your house too. Bats are fragile creatures, and they don’t really wreak havoc on the structural integrity of your roof. They are relatively unproblematic and just nest in warm, dark places like the attic, but the problem arises when their droppings (known as guano) collect over time. Guano stains walls and damages the insulation. If the plumbing runs close to the attic, it can also contaminate the water supply.

Another important reason why a bat infestation is bad news is because of the numerous health risks associated with them. Histoplasmosis and rabies are the most common bat-transmitted diseases you risk copping.

• Birds

Clog Gutters and Vents. Excreta Cause Acidic Damage to The Roof.

Birds hanging out on your roof is a peaceful sight to look at but even these fluffy little angels cause damage to your roof. They find secured nooks to build a nest in, often resulting in clogged gutters and vents.

Also, bird droppings are acidic in nature and wear away your shingles. Over time, the acid can even bore right through the roof. These stains are also unsightly and mar the appearance of your roof. Not only that, but they are also ridiculously hard to scrub off.

• Mice And Rats

Cut Through Insulation, Electrical Wiring, etc.

Rats and mice find a way into your home through soffits and vents. They are ravenous chewers and will destroy any insulation, wiring that comes in their way. From HVAC vents to dry walls, it is hard to satiate these little critters. In addition to leaking, the now naked wiring can spark fires. In fact, a significant percentage of house fires in the US that occur due to no apparent reason is probably caused by wire damaged due to rodent activity.

Rats defecate on the roofs and walls and accidental contact exposes you to some serious diseases like hantavirus. They reproduce at ungodly rates and failing to curb the infestation in its early stages will most likely worsen the situation.

What Preventive Measure Should You Undertake?

• If you have trees around your house, keep any overhanging branches trimmed and away from the roofs. Most animals use these branches as a pathway to your roof.
• Reseal Shingles and take proper care of your roof. Some animals tend to knock off loose shingles, followed by helping themselves and a host of other critters in. Regularly check on your roof and feel for rickety shingles, reseal or replace them soon. If your region has seen a recent storm, it is always advisable to go over for weak spots and promptly take care of them.
• Gutters and vents are popular hideouts for birds and rodents. Look through them every once in a while. During heavy rains, a clogged gutter is going to cause flooding on your roof and the nest will be wiped away. It’s best you deal with the situation before a bird has already set up their merry home.
• Hire best roofing company to install metal roofing. It is a sturdy solution to animals ripping off shingles. The strong material will resist an entire army of raging raccoons and squirrels.
• Check your attic and insulation. Finding tracks and dropping in the attic means you definitely have a few unwanted visitors. Before going into the attic, wear gloves and a mask so as to not come in direct contact with germs.

Need Help Restoring Your Roof?

Our roofers at Hero General Contracting, Oklahoma City will find offer you a solution. The well-trained and highly skilled team is known to carry out the best roofing jobs, be it repair or installation. Our products and services are varied, and you will most definitely find your fit with us. To hire roofing heroes, reach out via the webpage!