What Damage Can Squirrels Cause To Your Roof in Victoria?

A squirrel infestation can lead to devastating damage to your roof and attic if it’s not taken care of immediately by a professional. Squirrels have powerful teeth that can destroy different parts of your property and lead to expensive repair and replacement bills. Your roof is easily accessible to squirrels if you have trees or hanging branches nearby. You can get tips about squirrel removal in Victoria from Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control so you can protect your property investment and keep them from destroying the rest of your home. Here are some common types of damage squirrels have done to roofs.

Chew Holes in the Roof

Each year in this area, homeowners are shocked at the extent of damage squirrels can do to a roof. To get inside of your attic for protection against predators and the elements, squirrels may chew holes in your roof. They can squeeze themselves in through a tiny hole and get inside, leading to more damage. The small holes they make from chewing on the roof can lead to larger areas of damage, such as water leaks and cold or hot air escaping from the interior of your home.

Destroy the Shingles

Squirrel activity can also destroy your roof’s shingles and leave your attic, upper floors and exterior vulnerable to the elements. The damaged roof tiles can collect moisture underneath and make your home susceptible to structural issues or mold problems if not addressed and fixed. Besides chewing on the shingles and scratching them with their claws, feces and urine from a squirrel can also cause the shingles to deteriorate and fail over time. 

Damage the Vent Pipes

Squirrels also like chewing on other parts of your roof, such as the material covering your vent pipes. These pipes are essential for major appliances in your home and the plumbing system. Once they chew through these spots, squirrels may also start chewing away at electrical wires and other cables. This type of damage could be a fire hazard, especially if electrical wires are left exposed and get wet. Damage to your water pipes could cause significant water damage throughout your home. 

Prevent Squirrels from Gaining Access

The best course of action for a potential squirrel problem is prevention. First, make sure all overgrown branches and trees that are close to your roof are regularly trimmed so creatures don’t have an easy path to get into your home. You should also periodically go through your attic and seal up any gaps or spaces around the windows or doors that lead to the outside to keep small animals from getting inside. Make sure your home’s roof and gutters are also properly maintained throughout the seasons so there aren’t damaged spots already lurking on your home’s roof. It’s never a good idea to tackle a roofing job yourself, so be sure to hire a professional with experience in wildlife removal on Vancouver Island to help, such as Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. 

Squirrel Removal in Victoria to Keep Your Home Safe

Our squirrel removal process uses knowledge about the animal’s habits and behaviours for more effective results. If there are nesting babies on your property, we remove the nest without harming the young. Then we clean and decontaminate the attic to remove any feces, urine and other materials from the animals that may cause harm to you and your family. If you want to keep squirrels from nesting on your property or you need removal services that are safe for the animals, contact the team at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Our squirrel removal process helps prevent more damage to your attic and roof.