Raccoons can wreak havoc on your roof, causing thousands in repairs and leaving you with a nightmare of a situation. From gnawing on shingles and sidings, to robbing your chimney from the inside and damming up your gutters with their trash, raccoons can cause extensive damage to your roof and put you in a costly situation. Read further for four ways raccoons can destroy your roof and learn how to better protect your home.
1. Gnawing Through Your Roof Shingles and Sidings
Raccoons are equipped with sharp claws and teeth and can easily tear through most of your roof’s materials. If they’re trying to get inside your attic, they’ll tear up your shingles or sidings in pursuit of soft insulation or a warm shelter. This can lead to extensive water damage, as any holes or crevices on your roof can put you at risk for leakage and other forms of inside damage.
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The best way to prevent any accidental damage is to check your roofs and sidings regularly for any signs of raccoon activity. Keep an eye out for scratched-up and gnawed-on areas and if you spot any, contact a pest control service to assess the situation.
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To further deter any raccoon activity, set up deterrents to protect your roof, such as ultrasonic sound machines, ammonia-soaked rags, and other animal-proof materials. Remember to never approach or physically confront a raccoon yourself.
2. Robbing Your Chimney from the Inside
Raccoons often take up residence inside your chimney when looking for a warm and dry spot to make their home. What’s worse is that, as your chimney is designed to channel smoke and soot upwards and out of your roof, a raccoon can easily make it into your home’s living spaces, potentially carrying ticks and fleas with them and creating a mess throughout your home.
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The simplest way to prevent raccoons from entering your chimney is to install a proper chimney cap. A sturdy cap will make it harder for raccoons to find their way up your chimney, deterring any unwelcome visitors.
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If you have recurring problems with chimney-invading raccoons, it may be worth installing a “Chimney Balloon”. A Chimney Balloon is an inflatable device made of latex rubber. It gets inserted in the chimney’s flue, creating a full-seal overlay that stops any wind, rain or animals from entering.
3. Damming Up Your Gutters With Trash
A common way for raccoons to damage your roof is by taking up residence in your gutters or downspouts. By stuffing your gutters with sticks, leaves, stones, and other trash, raccoons cause blockages and flooding in your gutters. The sudden accumulation of water can put your roof at risk for rusting, rot, and decay.
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The easiest way to ensure your gutters don’t become clogged and water-damaged is regular maintenance. Make sure to clean your gutters at least twice a year and if possible, install gutter guards to further protect your home from leaf build-up and, in turn, raccoon activity.
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Keep an eye out for telltale signs of raccoon activity, such as scratch marks and obvious trash buildup in your gutters. If you notice any, it’s best to contact a pest control professional for assistance.
4. Nesting In Your Attic
Raccoons are expert climbers and may try to establish nesting spots in your attic or insulation. This can cause a variety of problems, from the disruption of your insulation system to the spread of ticks, fleas and other parasites to the rest of your home.
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Raccoon proofing your attic is one of the most effective ways to prevent raccoon nesting. Inspect your eaves and other windows and gaps in your walls and roof and seal them off securely with sturdy, animal-proof materials.
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Also, keep an eye out for chew marks and scratch tracks to identify where raccoons may be trying to break in. If you think you hear animals crawling in your attic, contact a professional right away to have the issue addressed.
People Also Ask
How do I stop raccoons climbing on my roof?
One of the best ways to prevent raccoons from climbing on your roof is to install motion-activated sprinklers and noise makers near your roof. You can also add strips of nitrogen-scented Epsom salts along the base of your roof.
How do you prevent raccoons from getting in your chimney?
The best way to prevent raccoons from entering your chimney is to install a proper chimney cap. A sturdy cap will make it harder for raccoons to find their way up your chimney, deterring any unwelcome visitors.
What is the best way to get rid of raccoons on a roof?
The best way to get rid of raccoons on a roof is to install motion-activated sprinklers and noise makers near your roof to scare them away. You can also set up deterrents such as ultrasonic sound machines, ammonia-soaked rags, and other animal-proof materials.
How do you keep raccoons from building a nest in your attic?
Raccoon proofing your attic is one of the most effective ways to prevent raccoon nesting. Inspect your eaves and other windows and gaps in your walls and roof and seal them off securely with sturdy, animal-proof materials.
Final Words
Raccoons can be a real nuisance and can cause considerable damage to your roof if left unchecked. To protect your home from raccoon activity, regular maintenance, proper raccoon proofing, and deterrents are the best way to keep your roof in good shape. Invest in the right materials and services and make sure to contact the right professionals for assistance when needed.
Remember, with the right prevention, you can save yourself from thousands of dollars in repairs and bigger headaches down the line.