As a homeowner, the last thing that you want to deal with is a family of mice or squirrels shacking up in your attic. Have you ever tried to go to sleep while listening to mice run above your ceiling? It’s virtually impossible! Further, wild animals such as raccoons can put you and your family at risk of injury if they are provoked. They can also do a lot of damage to your roof such as tearing into shingles and leaving the roof vulnerable whenever it rains. Rodents can also chew through electrical wiring and potentially cause a fire. Enough said! Let’s look at a few ways to prevent animals from entering your roof.
Before the critters can get into your home, it’s important that you take precautions and save yourself unnecessary headaches. Start by having a look at your roof and exterior of your home to identify any of the following evidence:
- Are there visibly loose shingles on your roof?
- Have you seen animal droppings close by?
- Are there signs of discolouration on your eavestroughs or any surrounding surfaces?
Once you have identified that you may have an animal infestation in your attic, take the following steps:
1. Animal-Proof Vents
Install special covers made of wire mesh on your roof vents to prevent even the smallest birds and rodents from entering. Be sure to cut the covers to the vents’ exact specifications, so that they fit snug without being too tight because you don’t want to restrict the airflow in your home. If you do not feel you have the expertise to install these vent covers, contact a trusted roofing company in Toronto and have them complete the job in a professional manner.
They will also secure any other vulnerable areas, specifically those designed to help you breathe better, like your eavestroughs, which sport small perforations that draw moisture away from the attic. When eavestroughs aren’t cleaned properly, they can attract insects into your home and encourage an infestation.
2. Seal All Possible Entryways
If your roof recently lost shingles in a storm, there could be sections of rotten wood on your roof, which need to be replaced. These sections can radiate heat, which tips animals off about a possible new dwelling place. Time is of the essence here. The longer that you delay, the more time that you give animals to make their way into the roof. Patch these openings up with industrial-grade sealant in order to block out any of these unwanted houseguests or hire a trained roofer to do this.
3. Animal Control Measures
Of course, taking preventative measures, as in most things, will save you a lot of stress and money in the long run. Stay one step ahead of urban wildlife by setting traps to avoid confrontations with bigger animals while applying repellant or removing food sources like fruit trees may prevent other types of animals from appearing. You can hire roofing companies to identify any potential weaknesses in your roof and home to prevent an animal infestation from occurring.
Animal-proofing your roof will be well worth the time and effort. You won’t have to hear the scrambling of little feet through the ceiling. You won’t have to worry about leaks, chewed wiring or other expensive damages. And you won’t be surprised by an aggressive critter lurking in your attic.
After taking the above steps to prevent animals from entering your roof, your home will be safe, secure and completely free of any unwanted houseguests…and you’ll be able to sleep easy!
You might be interested in reading, “The 5 Most Likely Causes of Damage to Your Home“.
