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Tag: rats in attic

Winter Roofing Concerns: Roof Rat Infestations

You’ve heard of bats in the belfry and skeletons in the closet, but there’s something much scarier and much more likely to be in your home – rats in the roof.

Roof rats, also known as black rats or ship rats, are a common problem in many parts of the United States, but especially in coastal and southern regions such as southeast Virginia. Their populations do particularly well in suburban and urban areas where they can find food and shelter easily and where the climate is mild. In other words – Hampton Roads is their ideal location. But even the Tidewater region can get chilly in the depths of winter, and right now is the time when roof rats and other rodents look for warm places to take up residence.

Since these agile rodents are known for their ability to climb, they can easily access elevated areas such as attics, trees, and sheds. Unfortunately, roof rats can cause significant damage to your roof and home, making it important to understand the signs of an infestation and how to effectively get rid of them.

Identifying Signs of Roof Rats

There are some telltale signs of roof rats that will help you determine if it’s time to take action. Even if you only notice a few of these signs, it’s still worth reaching out to a professional pest service before additional damage is done and even more professionals need to be called in.

Look out for:

  • Droppings: Dark, moist droppings near food sources or around your attic access may indicate a roof rat infestation.
  • Scratching or scurrying sounds: You may hear these in the walls, ceilings, or attic, especially at night.
  • Gnaw marks: Look for holes or gnaw marks on roofing materials, pipes, or electrical wires as well as potential food sources.
  • Nesting materials: Roof rats often use soft materials such as insulation, paper, or cloth to construct their nests. If you find loose material like this mysteriously lying around your house and especially in or near your attic, it may be from a roof rat attempting to transport it to their nest.
  • Unpleasant odors: Roof rats can produce a strong, unpleasant odor, especially when they are present in large numbers.

Roof Rat Damage to Address

If you have any of the signs listed above, then it is important to address the infestation promptly to reduce damage and the risk of disease transmission. Most likely some damage has already been done to your house when they gained access to your attic or other areas, but the longer they stay, the more damage is sure to be done. Here are the main types of damage you should check for:

  • Chewed wires and pipes: Roof rats have sharp teeth and are known to gnaw on electrical wires and pipes, which can lead to short circuits, fires, and leaks.
  • Damaged insulation: Roof rats may nest in insulation and chew through it, reducing its effectiveness and increasing energy costs.
  • Gnawed roofing materials: Roof rats can chew through roofing materials such as shingles and flashing, creating holes that can allow water to enter the attic or home. Their access and movement can also lift shingles and flashing, allowing them to be blown around and water to enter a home.
  • Contaminated food: Roof rats are known carriers of disease, and they can contaminate food stored in pantries and cabinets. Look for droppings or gnawed packaging in your cabinets and pantry and if you see any signs of this, throw the food away immediately and sanitize the area.

Getting Rid of Roof Rats

If you’ve determined you do, in fact, have roof rats – or any other rodents and pests in your attic – there are several things you can do right away to help reduce the damage and eliminate the problem.

  • Remove attractants: Keep food, water, and trash in tightly sealed containers to eliminate sources of food and water for the rats.
  • Remove trees and branches: Roof rats use trees and other structures to climb up and access attics. If you have overhanging limbs near your roofline, it’s an easy way for them to make their way in. Trim back any trees, remove lattices or any other structures that give them an easy entrance.
  • Use traps or bait stations: Place snap traps or bait stations in areas where you have seen rat activity. Be sure to follow safety guidelines and recommendations for the use of traps and bait stations.
  • Hire a professional: If the infestation is severe or if you are unable to effectively manage the problem on your own, consider hiring a pest control professional who has experience with roof rat control.
  • Seal entry points: Do this only AFTER the pests have been removed. If you seal off their access while they are still inside your house, they will just continue to cause damage trying to get back out. Once they are gone, inspect the roof and attic for holes, cracks, and gaps that rats could be using to gain access, and seal these entry points with materials such as steel wool, caulk, or metal flashing.

Repairing Roof Rat Damage

As we said, if they’ve gotten into your home, damage has likely already been done. But if they’ve taken up residence for a while or if you’re noticing leaks, electrical issues or higher energy bills, then it’s definitely time to make some repairs. These types of repairs should always be done by a professional. If you’ve called in a pest service to remove the rats, they may be able to let you know what type of damage they observed, otherwise you’ll want to get up into your attic and take a look around.

  • Roofing: For any damage done to your roof deck, sheathing, flashing, shingles or attic ventilation, you should reach out to a qualified roofing contractor.
  • Electrical: If wires have been gnawed at or chewed through, contact a licensed electrician immediately – this can cause fires and other major issues.
  • HVAC: If ductwork has been chewed through or your air handler has internal damage, call your HVAC company and have them inspect the unit and make any necessary repairs.
  • Structural: In extreme cases, roof rats may have compromised some structural aspects of your home such as roof rafters and floor joists in the attic or framing in the walls. In these cases, a licensed general contractor is the best professional to reach out to for a solution.

Andrews Roofing Can Help

If you suspect you have roof rats, contact Andrews Roofing today. As a locally owned and operated company, we have decades of experience dealing with the very specific issues homeowners in Hampton Roads may have. We can help you identify if roof rats are the cause of the problem and provide estimates for any repair work that needs to be done. Don’t give roof rats free rent – call us today!

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Roof Maintenance Tips for Stand-Alone Structures

When you think about roof maintenance, your mind probably goes right to the largest roof you have to deal with – the one over your home.

But if you have any exterior stand-alone structures on your property, their roofs need to be inspected and maintained just like your home’s. This may include garages, sheds, pool houses, barns or workshops. It’s particularly important to keep an eye on these structures if they store expensive equipment or other important items to avoid any type of damage.

The roof on an outbuilding can experience additional challenges that your home’s roof may not have, and there are additional ways to inspect and maintain these structures. Here are a few of our tips for maintaining and extending the life of your stand-alone structure’s roof.

Regular Visual Inspections

Like your home’s roof, you should inspect the roofs of these structures on a regular basis and especially after storm events. Depending on the size of these structures, it may be a little easier to visually inspect their condition from the ground. Look for the same telltale signs that you would on your home’s roof: missing shingles, warped or algae covered shingles, loose or missing flashing, clogged or damaged gutters and of course – holes or other damage. Check the eaves for nests of any kind – birds, bees, wasps, squirrels or any other type of animal nest can cause serious damage.

Safely Clean Them from the Ground

Again, the roof line of these structures may be a bit lower which may make it possible to safely clean them off yourself. A buildup of leaves, moss, or a few sticks and branches may seem benign, but they can cause damage if left alone for too long. Moss and algae – which are common in the Hampton Roads region – can collect on areas of the roof that do not get much direct sunlight. If they aren’t dealt with, they can weaken your roof over time.

If the roof is low enough and you have a strong enough hose, the first cleaning approach may be to simply spray it down to remove debris and build up. If that doesn’t do the trick, you can invest in a soft bristled roof rake which can be used from the ground to rake off debris and even some mildew and algae. Make sure not to scrub too hard to avoid damaging any roofing materials.

Remove Potential Hazards

Make sure to keep any nearby trees or bushes trimmed back. Limbs and branches that lean or hang over your outbuilding could cause extensive damage over time from friction or in an instant during one of our regular southeastern Virginia pop-up storms. If the vegetation around the building is small and light enough, you can take care of it yourself, but if there are any substantial trees or branches that should be removed, always call a professional.

Check Inside for Pests

It’s important to check the interior of these structures regularly. Some roofing issues can’t be seen from the outside. So even if your barn or shed is full to the rafters, make it a point to inspect the interior at least twice a year and after major storm events. The most critical interior areas of these structures may be the corners where animals are most likely to have built nests or created pathways to access the inside. Birds, insects and rats or squirrels can wreak havoc on a roof, chewing through materials or causing damage to rafters and sheathing. If you find anything, get in touch with a professional pest control company or animal control.

Whatever type of outbuilding you may have on your property, it’s likely that it houses something important enough for you to protect. Make sure the roofing on these structures is doing its job as best as possible with regular inspections and maintenance. If you see any signs of damage and believe your structure needs roofing repair or replacement, contact Andrews Roofing today. We are experienced in the types of environmental issues that structures in the Tidewater Region experience and know the best types of materials and methods to prevent further damage.

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Why Critters in Your Attic May Mean It’s Time For a Roof Repair

If you’ve been hearing things going “bump” in the night lately, it’s safe to say it’s probably a critter in your attic rather than something paranormal.

In the cold, wet winter months, animals are more likely to try and take shelter in any warm, secluded area they can find. Often the place they’re most able to access and remain undisturbed is your attic. The problem (besides keeping you up at night) is that once they’ve taken up residence, they can cause a lot of damage to the interior and exterior of your home.

Common Attic Critters in Hampton Roads

One of the most common yet unwelcome attic residents in Hampton Roads homes are squirrels. Dexterous and able to climb and jump quite high, squirrels can find it easy to access your attic if certain precautions or repairs are not taken.

“Roof rats” are another common intruder – often looking to either make a nest or find materials for their nest elsewhere. Loose, blown-in insulation is paradise for a pack of roof rats looking for a warm, cozy place to wait out the winter.

It’s also not unheard of for raccoons to make their way into attics when homes are near large trees or wooded areas, as many in the Tidewater region are. Even birds have been known to enter attics through open vent holes or even ventilation fans.

How Are They Getting In?

In some homes, there may be small holes at roof eaves meant for ventilation, but also perfect for allowing in small vermin. Rats and even squirrels are capable of chewing at eave shingles to enlarge any opening they may find. Sometimes a vent cover can break, fail or fall out, creating easy access for any animal looking for a new residence. Persistent pests may even pull back loose flashing or fascia to enter a home.

All of these scenarios are more likely when a home has trees close to the roofline, however roof rats are capable of entering a home even by climbing up a brick exterior to an entry point, or traveling through the walls, so don’t assume that you’re in the clear if you’re not in a wooded area.

What to Look For

In addition to noises you may hear – especially at night when nocturnal animals are up and about, there are some physical signs you should keep an eye out for. Check your attic space for animal droppings on a regular basis. If you see any wires or ductwork that look chewed or damaged, an animal has likely found an entry point. From the exterior, look for loose flashing, missing vent covers, ventilation holes at eaves, missing fascia or shingles that look chewed up or damaged. Birds’ nests in your gutters or eaves are also a sign they may be getting inside.

Potential Damage

Unwanted critters in your attic can cause a wide variety of damage. The entry point at which they accessed the attic is likely damaged in some way – either by the animal forcing their way in, or by some other means which has then allowed them easier access. Wiring and ductwork can be chewed up and rendered useless. Insulation may be moved around so it is not acting as efficiently as it should, or it may be missing, have gaps or be damaged in some way from nesting. Shingles, fascia and even roof decking may be damaged if an animal forced their way in. And of course, any personal items you keep stored in your attic may be damaged or destroyed.

What You Can Do

If you do have any type of unwanted animal in your home, the first step is to get it out. There are many local companies who do humane animal removal and relocation. For roof rats and other vermin, a pest company may need to set baits and traps, and remove those before going forward. Any repair work you do before identifying and removing the cause of the damage will likely be in vain, as the animal may undo the work trying to chew their way back out.

Once the unwelcome guests are gone, then it’s time to identify how they have been accessing your home. Repairs and improvements to prevent their return can include adding wire mesh or metal over fascia or ventilation holes, repairing or replacing vent covers, replacing any damaged decking, shingles or flashing.

Having your roof maintained and inspected on an annual basis with a licensed roofing company is a great way to identify any possible issues and avoid potential damage caused by unwelcome critters. At Andrews Roofing, we provide roof maintenance services to clients all across the Hampton Roads region. Whether it’s storm damage or a pesky rodent, we can identify the issue before it becomes a major problem, saving you money and hassle down the line. Contact us today for your home’s roof inspection or repair.

 

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