Roofing and wildlife problems are unfortunately very related. Your roof may attract wildlife problems depending on roof-line gaps or it’s current condition. What makes it a contemporary problem is that most roofers don’t have wildlife experience and it’s not a job requirement. Some roofers may have wildlife experience due to their daily jobs but many don’t or simply ignore the concept as it’s not part of their job description. Ultimately as a consumer it is your right to ask roofers for services done a certain way and their obligation to quote you based on the services to be rendered. If your home has a history of wildlife problems you can talk with your roofer about what needs to be done. Continue below to learn more about roof gaps and conditions.
Raccoons And Squirrels V.S Roof Conditions
Let’s discuss wildlife removal such as raccoon and squirrel removal from the attic. Raccoons and squirrels situationally enter the attic through the middle of the roof or the roof-line (edge of the roof). These entries are uncommon because there are easier targets for wildlife to chew or break. Easier areas include roof vents and septic pipe plastic covers. Vents and pipes are much easier to break into, and the roof should never be a point of entry before these attachments.
Roof Vent And Pipe Wildlife Entry Points
More often than not, raccoon entries in the middle of the roof have initially started by a squirrel chewing. Either as an opportunity to find shelter, or to pursue squirrels as a source of food, sometimes both. Raccoons don’t rely on squirrels to make entry points, however they do tend to attract raccoons. In any case what makes these uncommon entries possible is the age of the plywood on the roof. Plywood can age, shrink, curve and rot especially if the shingles are not changed on time. Squirrels and raccoons can sense heat escaping from gaps and are sensitive to rotted wood. They actively seek these environmental conditions to chew and break into attics.
Roofers
Roofers while experts at their jobs, are not wildlife experts. Some clients tell us that they’ve recently changed their roof and are shocked to find out that they have wildlife problems. Most of the time roofers have done their jobs to the letter. A roofer will not be knowledgeable with wildlife behavior consequently they cannot make calls that better defend your home. Occasionally roofers leave an unintentional and sometimes unavoidable gap between the brand new plywood and facia. Gaps only require half an inch to attract squirrels and other wildlife. Animals will fit their teeth and claws into these gaps and begin chewing and clawing their way into your attic.
Sometimes the only way to remedy the roofline gap is to stitch the roofline edge until all gaps are protected, see images below.
