Pests and Your Roof

Your roof faces many threats. Weather, age, and wear are common problems. But pests can cause serious damage too, especially in Florida. Animals like squirrels, raccoons, and birds see your roof as a perfect home. They chew through materials and create openings for nests, storm coverage, and food storage.

These openings not only allow pests to move freely in and out of your home, but they also expose your home to roof leaks. If left unaddressed, pest damage is guaranteed to get worse over time.

Understanding how pests damage your roof helps you protect your home. Taking action early saves money and prevents bigger issues.

Why Celebratory Gunfire Causes Roof Damage

Bullets fired straight up reach heights of several thousand feet before gravity pulls them back down. While they don’t return at the same speed they left, they still carry enough momentum to penetrate roofing materials like shingles, tiles, flat, and even metal roofing.

The damage often goes unnoticed. Small bullet holes in your roof will create entry points for water. Over time, these small holes can become large cracks, leading to roof leaks that can ruin insulation, compromise structural integrity, and damage interior finishes.

How Can Pests Enter Your Roof?

Pests find many ways to get into your roof system, often destroying parts of your home and roof to gain entry. When pests damage your home, it puts your home at risk of further pest damage, water damage, and further deterioration of your home’s exterior.

Squirrels are common culprits. They chew through lead boots around pipes, soffits, eaves, and vents, searching for dry places to nest and safe areas to store and find food.
Raccoons tear at shingles, vents, and pre-existing damage or other opportune openings. Raccoons are often found nesting in chimneys and attic areas during the early to mid spring seasons.
Birds build nests in gutters and under eaves. They also take advantage of damage created by storms or other pests to create nests in your home’s attic areas.
Rats and mice squeeze through small gaps. They can fit through holes as small as a pencil eraser. Making sure your home is water-tight from roof to foundation also helps deter rats and mice who seek warm shelter during colder months.

Steps to Take When Pests Have Damaged Your Roof

Check your roof safely from the ground. Look for obvious damage, such as missing shingles or torn materials.

Document any visible roof damage with photos or video. This helps when talking to roof repair professionals and filing insurance claims.

Ensure that the pests are no longer in your home. This may require a pest control professional.

Once you have verified the pest has been removed, call Westfall Roofing to seal the damage with professional repairs to prevent re-entry.

What Can You Do To Prevent Pests From Getting Into Your Roof

Keep trees trimmed away from your roof. Branches give animals easy access to your home and can cause serious damage during storms. Cut back limbs that hang over or touch your roof, removing natural bridges for pests and potential dangers from storms.
Install metal flashing around pipes and vents. This makes it harder for animals to chew through seals. Have your roof professional inspected for damage.
Keep Your Gutters Clean and Functional. Clogged gutters create water problems that attract pests. Seal any small holes or gaps you find, and use materials that animals can’t chew through easily.

Westfall Roofing knows how to fix pest damage the right way. Our team can spot damage that homeowners miss and provide professional solutions to deter pests and further damage. Don’t let pest damage turn into bigger problems.

Get your roof fixed before the next storm season. Contact Westfall Roofing today for reliable repairs you can trust.