Animals Can Be A Roof Hazard
Homeowners’ roofs can be an attractive habitat to all sorts of wildlife, just about all of which have the potential to cause serious damage. If homeowners suspect they have a problem, they should call a professional roofing company such as Ocean County Roofing.
Nesting birds can present a problem in two ways. They can damage the roof itself when constructing their nests, and their continued presence will result in a quantity of droppings on the house or roof. Some bird droppings are highly acidic, and can eat away at the fabric of a home.
One of the most dangerous birds is the woodpecker, and homeowners need to take immediate steps to get rid of one. It is either feeding on insects, in which case homeowners have two problems, or it is marking its territory. If it has decided that a particular home is its new territory, it will be back day after day hammering holes in the structure, allowing moisture to enter and rot to begin.
There are several mammals that can cause problems. Squirrels using a roof as a means to get from tree to tree may seem innocent, but they have very sharp claws which can cause serious damage. Raccoons are a particular nuisance, as they are relatively strong animals and quite capable of ripping up a roof to gain access to the nice, warm attic below.
Given the incidence of rabies in the raccoon population, they pose a danger to more than just the roof. Rodents can also cause considerable damage. They chew constantly, and there are many parts of a roof that will serve that purpose very well. Rodents can cause damage from above or below, and the considerable damage they cause may not be readily obvious.
The last group of animals is the smallest, and perhaps the most dangerous. Insects can cause massive amounts of damage on their own, but they will also attract other forms of wildlife to a roof. Although subterranean termites are the most common, dry termites can feed on the wood in the eaves, as can carpenter ants.
As soon as homeowners suspect that any of these animals have taken up residence in their roofs, they should call an exterminator immediately to get rid of the unwelcome visitors. Once the wildlife problem has been taken care of, homeowners should have a professional roofer assess any damage that might have been caused and make the necessary repairs. Any of the roofing contractors from Fortified Roofing of Ocean County NJ can answer your questions about new roofs or roof repairs.
Roofing contractors from Fortified Roofing of Ocean County NJ provide a term:
Eaves
Eaves are the edges of the roof which hang over the walls. The primary function of eaves is to direct water away from the walls and to prevent water from getting into the structure where the two meet.
Ocean County, NJ roofing contractors answer a FAQ:
How do I check for animal infestation?
The best ways to check for animal infestation are to look and listen. Nesting birds, squirrels on the roof, scurrying sounds from the attic or the unmistakable sound of a woodpecker are common signs of an infestation. Raccoons will usually go for the trashcan before the roof. For insects, an annual termite inspection by a professional is essential.
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