Your roof protects you and your family from the elements. Unfortunately, it’s also incredibly appealing to local wildlife. Like you, these animals want safety and shelter, especially when the colder months arrive. Yet once they enter your home, they often cause damage that poses danger for your roof. Could intruders be making a home in your roof? New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc. explains the most common animals that get into roofs and what you can do to protect yours.
Animals in Roofs: The Top Culprits
When you imagine pests in the home, insects immediately come to mind. Yet the critters that live in your yard and any wooded areas around your home are just as likely to invade in search of food and warmth. The top offenders for animals in roofs include:
- Squirrels
- Opossums
- Mice and rats
- Bats
- Birds
These animals chew, peck, or even tear off shingles and soft parts of roofs in search of a cozy place to build a nest. This initial damage is serious enough, but pests will continue destructive behaviors that cause damage to your roof and the rest of your home, such as chewing on wood, insulation, siding, and roofing materials to build nests or for a food source and burrowing deep into the house’s structures for a secure place to dwell. Animals in roofs are also a common cause of foul odors in the home due to stored foods that spoil or rot and the urine and feces they leave behind. And because many pests carry bacteria, they have the potential to contaminate food and make you and your family ill.
Worst of all, your new animal housemates aren’t content to simply move in themselves. In most cases, your roof makes a perfect spot to give birth, meaning that one mouse can become an infestation in almost no time at all.
What You Can Do
If you suspect animals are making a home in your roof, there’s a good chance you’re right. Check for a few common signs of an invasion, including:
- Scratching, tapping, or scurrying noises on the roof or in the attic
- Damaged or missing roof shingles
- Visible nesting materials in the roof, soffits, or fascia
- Damage to ducts or insulation in the attic
- Droppings, urine stains, unpleasant scents, and chewed materials
If you’ve noticed signs of damage due to animals in your roof, contact New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc. right away. Damage to your roof can quickly grow more extensive and lead to leaks, inefficient HVAC performance, and damage to your insulation.
You can also take a few simple steps to keep animals out of your roof in the future. Be sure to trim any trees near the house to make access harder, keep gutters clean, and move bird feeders away from the home. Additionally, take a moment to inspect your roof and attic from time to time. A fast visual inspection can identify warning signs and ensure you act before damage is severe.
Roof Repair in Northern New Jersey
If mice, birds, or other animal pests have damaged your roof, contact New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc. today. We’ll assess the damage, provide a free quote, and restore your roof to its previous condition. To speak with a representative about our roofing services, call 973- 895-1113 today.
