Most homeowners welcome birds in their backyard, but keep in mind they can do serious damage to your roof. You need to be extra careful when dealing with them since some species are protected by law. The siding experts at UHQ Construction suggest some ways you can prevent bird-related damage below.
Bird-Related Damage: How to Protect Your Roof
How Birds Can Cause Damage
There are two ways birds can damage your roof:
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Acidic droppings – Bird droppings can damage asphalt shingles and even outdoor equipment, like your HVAC unit. Droppings also serve as a source of nutrients for algae and moss, which can spread faster as a result.
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Nests in gutters – The nests can prevent rainwater from draining properly, causing it to overflow and spill onto other parts of your roof. These nests can also block air ventilation, trapping moisture inside your roof’s underlayers.
How to Prevent Bird-Related Damage
Here’s how you can discourage birds from going near your roof:
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Fix holes immediately – Birds, or any small mammal for that matter, love to nest in your roof because it provides them adequate protection from the elements. That’s why if you see any holes in your roof, have a qualified contractor conduct roof repair work as soon as possible.
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Clean up after birds’ meals – Birds of prey might roost on your rooftop to devour their prey. Make sure to clean your roof afterward to ensure their leftovers don’t attract other pests or even larger birds of prey—their talons can puncture your roof.
Whether birds frequent your rooftop or not, you should have a routine roof maintenance plan. That way, you can fix roof damage—bird-related or not—before it gets worse.
UHQ Construction, a contractor with an accreditation from the Better Business Bureau®, offers a wide range of professional exterior services. To get a free estimate, call us at (317) 884-3140 or leave us a message here. We serve homeowners in Carmel, IN, as well as other areas in Indiana.
