What Kind of Damage Can Texas Animals Cause to a Roof?
Squirrels, raccoons, and other Texas critters might pose more of a risk to your roof then you realize. Learn more about the damage they can do.
Texas is home to a variety of varmints, critters, and pests that can damage your home. Ants and other insects can get into your food, and termites can damage your home’s structure. Certain animals can cause damage to your roof that, if not promptly repaired, can lead to much further damage to other parts of the house. This can occur from both the inside and outside. Homeowners must keep watch for signs of damage caused by pests like mice, as well as wild animals like squirrels, raccoons and birds.
Squirrels
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Squirrels might be cute, but they are among your roof’s greatest enemies. From the outside, squirrels can peel roof shingles up and chew through the underlayment and decking material. If they find their way inside your attic, they can chew through electrical wires and make nests in your insulation. Homeowners who use their attics for storage might be dismayed to learn what squirrels can do with their keepsakes and other valuables — none of it is good.
Installing a drip edge can help prevent squirrels from messing around with shingles. You can keep squirrels from ever making it onto the roof by keeping tree limbs trimmed far away from the house. Squirrels are great jumpers, so the more distance you can create, the better.
Mice and rats
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Mice and rats are rodents, just like squirrels. They can also cause many of the same kinds of damage. While the threat of squirrels tends to come from the surrounding trees, mice and rats often find their way into houses at ground level. They then work their way upwards.
Birds
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It’s not at all uncommon to see birds on the roofs of houses. Some houses seem to attract large gatherings of birds. A bird does not necessarily threaten a roof just by standing on it, but birds can do significant damage. The heavier the bird, the more stress they put on the shingles. Birds can crack or pull up on shingles when they move around and take flight. Perhaps the biggest threat birds pose to roofs involves their bodily functions. Bird droppings can be very acidic and can quickly cause shingles and other roofing materials to start rotting.
Raccoons
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Your trash cans are not the only place where raccoons can get into mischief. As cute as they might be, raccoons are little forces of chaos when it comes to your roof. They are potentially even more likely than squirrels to pull up on shingles.
Unlike squirrels, raccoons can grab objects with their hands, and grabbing things is one of their favorite activities. They can grab shingles, flashing, and just about anything else on your roof that isn’t firmly nailed down. They can take the tiniest opening and turn it into a gaping hole. From there, they might decide to move into your attic and start a family. Your problems will only get bigger from there.
Possums
Possums serve an important role in Texas’ natural environment. They eat ticks and other harmful vermin, which is a great service for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. They’re even sort of cute in their own unique way. That said, you don’t want them hanging around on your roof, and definitely not in your attic.
Possums will go to great lengths to find food. They’re almost as ravenous and resourceful as raccoons. If they can find a way through your shingles, they might keep chewing until they reach your attic. From there, they’ll keep chewing in search of food. Electrical wires, rafters, insulations, and other parts of your home won’t be safe.
Are critters wearing down your roof?
The experienced professionals at RoofCrafters can identify potential damage from animals and all other sources of roof wear and tear. Don’t let an old roof turn into a bigger bill than it needs to be. Schedule your free roof inspection today!