Throughout the year, roofs attract many different kinds of animals in search of a safe place to build their homes. However, they often damage it in the process. To avoid having to calling your local roofing contractor for emergency repairs, the guide below encourages you to be proactive about these pests by offering preventative measures. 

What Types of Animals Should You Look Out For? 

Generally, if animals are digging into your roof, they are trying to make a home in your attic. The attic provides shelter from the outside elements and tends to be a warm, dark place—which is perfect for mice, bats, or possums. However, their claws will tear through your insulation, their teeth will chew through wires, and their waste can lead to household respiratory issues. Raccoons, specifically, tend to carry a bacterial infection that can make you very sick, which can be passed on through their urine and feces.

Birds are more likely to nest in your gutters; mice may also be attracted to this area by bugs they find among the mess of leaves and twigs in these channels. This only makes your gutters clog up worse, so they can no longer redirect rainwater away from your roof. Instead, it will back up onto your shingles, weakening them and possibly spurring mold growth inside your attic. If this issue still goes unaddressed, the weight will eventually be too much for the gutters and they will separate from the home, likely damaging your roof in the process.

What Preventive Measures Can You Take?

In addition to cleaning out your gutters regularly, ask your roofing contractor about installing guards over them that will let rainwater in, but not much else. You should also trim back tree branches overhanging your house. This not only stops them from dropping debris into your gutters but also prevents squirrels and raccoons from using them as perches to jump onto your roof. Additionally, have a roofing contractor stop by to perform an inspection annually or after any large storm. By identifying and replacing missing shingles quickly, they can prevent animals from exploiting your roof’s weaknesses and causing costly damage.

If any of these critters are seen in or around your home, call your roofing contractor as soon as possible. Sandberg Contracting in McKinney, TX, has been working with home and business owners for more than 20 years and has dealt with jobs both big and small. Whether you are facing critter damage, storm damage or need a full replacement, they are here to help. Check them out online for a list of services or call them today at (972) 989-8100 to schedule an appointment.