Squirrels make up the top rodent problem in Kansas City, and they’re costing homeowners money. The good news is that you can keep squirrels, raccoons, and other animals away from your roof. Your roof is a significant investment that should be protected. When squirrels damage your roof and attic, roof repairs result.
What Kinds of Roof Damage Do Squirrels Cause?
Squirrels can peel up your roof shingles and chew through your roof decking. They may tear holes in your roof soffit or fascia, damage your gutters, and then enter your home and wreak havoc. When they enter your attic, they may chew up electrical wiring, damage your insulation, and cause harm to the things you stored in your attic, thinking they would be safe and sound.
Where Do Squirrels Find Entrance into a Home?
There are some common places animals or insects can enter your home. They may get in through your soffit or fascia if there are gaps in them. They can also get in through your siding if you have an opening in it. They may get into your home through your ridge vent or an open, uncapped chimney.
How to Prevent Squirrels from Causing Roof Damage
Install a Drip Edge
Some homeowners learn the hard way that squirrels can peel up shingles, chew their way through your decking, and make their way into your attic. Thankfully, there is a way roofing, gutters, and attics can be protected from squirrel damage. Preventing squirrel damage will save you the hassles of time-consuming roof repairs. The solution? Install a drip edge: a piece of metal which slides under your first row of shingles and hangs over your fascia’s edge. Sometimes called a drip cap, it helps water drain into your gutters and away from your home.
When it comes to keeping pesky squirrels out of your home and off your roofing, a drip edge is an optimal solution. It makes it more difficult for a squirrel to tunnel between your roof shingles and fascia.
When a drip edge is installed, it’s sealed with a strip of roofing cement and often nailed on each end to secure it. The great news is that you can have a drip edge installed without replacing your entire roof.
Trim Trees around Your Home
Squirrels climb trees, and if trees are near your roof, they give bothersome squirrels easy access to your home. So if you have trees with branches that hang near your roof, trim them to keep the squirrels at bay. Since squirrels can jump quite far, trim your trees to create a minimum of eight feet of space between your trees and your roof.
Inspect Your Roof Periodically
A few times a year (typically after a storm), grab some binoculars and step away from your home to do a visual inspection of your roof and gutters from the safety of the ground. Avoid the idea of climbing on your roof to inspect it. Leave that to the pros who have safety procedures in place. Look carefully at your roof and gutters to verify they are in good working order. If you see damaged shingles, missing shingles, or cracked shingles, contact a roofing company to have your roof professionally inspected. If you need roof repairs, schedule them promptly to avoid incurring more damage. Shore up any weak spots in your roof to protect your home.
Climb up into your home’s attic to visually inspect it a few times a year. Look for animal droppings, torn insulation, or moisture.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
Gutters and downspouts have the important job of channeling water away from your home. They actually prevent water from pooling around your home exterior, and prevent foundation and roof damage caused by moisture. When gutters get clogged up with debris and leaves, they stop working properly, putting your home at risk for problems. Also, pests can tend to nest in the debris that’s clogging your gutters. If animals make their home in your gutters, they may damage your soffit or fascia over time. They could also get into your attic and cause more trouble.
Keep gutters clean by installing gutter guards that allow rainwater to get into your gutters, but keep debris out of them. If you choose not to install gutter guards, have your gutters cleaned regularly by the pros. If you choose to clean your gutters yourself, exercise extreme safety precautions while you’re on the ladder doing the work.
Seal Your Home Exterior’s Openings
If you have any openings in your home that allow access to squirrels, seal them. Keep siding intact to prevent critters from entering through it. Keep birds from nesting in your chimney by installing a chimney cap.
What to Do if You Have Squirrel Damage to Your Roof
If your roof is damaged due to squirrels or other pests, the first step is to get rid of the pests and address their access point to your home to prevent them from returning. A pest control company can help you get rid of any live animals that made their way into your home. After the animals are out of your home, check with your insurance company to see what damage they can cover. Then hire a roofing company who will work with your insurance to repair your roof promptly.
Christian Brothers Roofing Can Help Repair Roof Damage
Looking for a trustworthy KC roofer? Don’t risk your home’s protection by hiring an inferior company to replace your roof. Christian Brothers Roofing is the most highly certified KC roofing company.
We take time to educate you on roofing options so you can make the best long-term choice for your home. We’re skilled at insurance claims, so if your roof is damaged, we can help.
See our financing options to expand your purchasing power and make your new roof replacement affordable.
