Protecting Your Roof from Birds

Your roof is essential to your home or business, protecting your property and everything inside it. However, birds can cause significant damage to your roof and compromise its structural integrity. In this blog post, we will examine the type of harm that birds can do to your roof, the signs of bird damage to watch out for, and why it should not be ignored. We will also discuss how to keep birds away and what to do if you suspect you have a problem with birds nesting or roosting on your roof.

Type of Damage Birds Can Do to Your Roof

Birds can cause several forms of harm to your roof, such as pecking at shingles or roof tiles, building nests in the eaves and drainage channels, and roosting in attics. In particular, excessive pecking and scratching at shingles and tiles can lead to cracks, holes, or missing pieces, which, in turn, can cause water to leak into your home or business. Nesting and roosting birds can also cause damage to your roof by dislodging tiles or shingles, allowing moisture or water to get into your roofing materials, and even their droppings can corrode the roofing materials and make them less effective at protecting the property.

In short, birds pose an expensive, messy problem for your roof.

Signs of Bird Damage

Birds can cause damage to your roof in several ways. Missing shingles or tiles, cracks or holes in the roof surface, excessive bird droppings, and evidence of nesting materials such as feathers are all telltale signs of bird activity on your roof. If you observe any of these indicators, taking immediate steps to limit future problems is important.

In particular, schedule an inspection with a professional roofer to get a full report of the damage and to make needed repairs. Our roofers can also help you identify other measures you can take to deter birds from returning.

Birds & Health Hazards

The damage to your roof isn't the only hazard that birds can cause - they can also pose a serious health risk if they start nesting or roosting on your property. Pigeons and other birds can carry diseases that are harmful to humans and pets, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Histoplasmosis, which can be transmitted through their droppings or via the air. Birds can also create unsanitary conditions that encourage other animals and pests to reside in your home (like bugs and rodents).

Keeping Birds Off Your Roof

Prevention is always better than cure, and you can deter birds from landing on your roof in several ways. One effective method is to install bird spikes, which are plastic or metal strips that make it difficult for birds to perch on them. You can also use bird netting or mesh to cover roof eaves, preventing birds from building nests or roosting.

To keep birds off your roof, you can:

  • Install bird spikes or decoys of predator birds, like hawks or owls
  • Install reflective strips on your roof to scare away birds
  • Cover ventilation holes with mesh to prevent birds from gaining access
  • Remove nesting materials any time you see them
  • Trim and prune nearby trees and bushes that overhang your roof

What to Do if You Have a Bird Problem

If you notice signs of bird activity on your roof, taking immediate action is vital. First, call a professional pest control expert to remove birds from your property safely. Next, contact Lyons Roofing for a professional roof inspection and repairs. Even if you don't see visible signs of damage, it's essential to have your roof inspected by a professional roofing contractor if you recently had issues with birds.

Preventing bird damage to your roof is crucial for the safety and security of your home or business. By identifying the signs of bird damage and taking appropriate action, you can protect your property from water leaks, structural damage, and health hazards. If you suspect that birds are causing damage to your roof, call the professionals at Lyons Roofing for a thorough inspection and repair plan.

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