Roof damage from pests can cost you!
Roof damage from animals and pests are sometimes considered to be preventable by insurance companies, and because of this, not covered by your homeowners insurance company.
Any hole or opening, large and small is an invitation for all kinds of all kinds of pests to invade and cause damage to your roof. Pulling apart vents and roof tiles are just some of the ways that these sometimes cute but pesky critters can begin their version of a demolition to your home’s roof. Racoons, roof rats and squirrels, for example, may dig in and through your home’s roof insulation and begin to nest and raise a family. Before long, contaminates from their feces and urine will could instigate and promote roof rot, dangerous molds, and other unhealthful odors that infiltrate your home.
These pests may also chew through exposed wires that that get in their way, which can elevate a considerable risk of a house fire. Another common result of these pests chewing the exposed wires is electrocution, which may result in their decaying, rotting carcasses wedged in hard to reach areas of your home. Needless to say, the result of this is not conducive for a healthy, radical free home environment.
In addition, because pigeons and other birds do not urinate, their droppings contain uric acid which attacks the integrity of roof tiles and other materials. And since uric acid is not water-soluble, rain or any other kind of plain water, such as that which comes from a gardening hose, will do little to nothing towards washing these dropping away.
So prevention, as your home owners insurance policy may agree, in so much as taking certain steps to eliminate, or at minimum, reduce the opportunity for pests to gain access to your roof, could make a valuable impact to keeping it in good condition.
Here are just a few simple things you can do towards averting unwelcome pests from invading your roof:
- Use animal-safe repellents.
- Use metal screens and pest guards.
- Clean up roofing and attic clutter.
- Install baffles on trees neighboring your house.
- Remove overhanging tree branches.
- Maintain your roof with a yearly roof inspection and certification.
In addition to the above mentioned tips, you may find it worth your while to speak with your home owner insurance agent so that they can educate you about what your policy does and does not cover. They may also provide you with valuable suggestions about what steps they would consider reasonable from their part, so that if you do have to make a claim due to animal activity at some future point in time, you will decrease the chances of the claim being denied.
Whatever steps you do take to prevent roof damage as a result of pest and other unwanted animal activity, make sure to take photos and document all the measures you have taken to comply with your homeowners policies for such situation; including a regularly scheduled roof inspection and certification as evidence that you have done everything from your end to prevent critters and other hazards from damaging your roof.