Roof Rats
There are many different things that can cause damage to a roof. While weather is the most common cause, insects and rodents are a top concern for homeowners as well. One type of rodent that Middletown roofing experts have to deal with from time to time is the roof rat. These black rats have the ability to climb up houses and live in attics.
Roof rats aren’t the type of rodent that homeowners want to deal with themselves. They often carry diseases and can range in size from 13 to 18 inches from head to tail. Some of them can even weigh up to 9 ounces. Roof rats excel at climbing and finding small openings that lead into your home. These rats can enter an attic through existing damage in a roof.
Homeowners who find roof rats in their attic should act fast. When there is one, more are nearby. The first sign of an infestation that homeowners notice is gnawing and clawing sounds that resonate from the attic. Since roof rats typically hide when someone enters the attic, another sign is small animal droppings.
Roof rats can cause terrible damage to roofs as they nest. They often burrow through the roof, which leaves it susceptible to the outside elements. Once inside the attic, they attack the roof from underneath and chew through pipes, wires and insulation.
Have a question regarding roof repairs or gutters? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Middletown NJ.
Over time, this can put the structural integrity of the roof at risk.
Preventing roof rats can be as easy as having a roof professionally inspected at least twice a year. An inspection team can check a roof for damage and ensure that any issues are dealt with properly. Even a nickel-sized hole is big enough for roof rats to use as an entrance point into the roofing deck. Homeowners should have professionals patch all holes right away. In some cases, the entire roof may need to be replaced.
One sign that a roof may be close to developing holes is weak shingles. During a roofing inspection, the experts look for signs of weak shingles, such as shingles that are cracking, peeling or crumbling apart. Once roofing materials become weak, it doesn’t take much to knock them from their foundation.
The best times of year to have a roof inspected are during the spring and fall. This will ensure that the roof is prepared for the harsh summer and winter months that follow. During these biannual inspections, homeowners should also have roofers perform general maintenance on their roofs. This includes, but isn’t limited to, removing debris from a home’s gutter system. Have a question regarding new roofs or gutters? Ask a roofing professional from Fortified Roofing of Middletown NJ.
Common roofing term explained by Fortified Roofing of Middletown NJ:
Structural Integrity
This refers to the ability of a structure to hold weight and force. The structural integrity of a roof is its ability to support the weight of the roofing deck and other roofing materials. As buildings become damaged or age, their structural integrity declines.
Fortified Roofing, experts in roofing of Middletown NJ answer a question:
What are some other ways to keep roof rats away?
Red cedar is higher in quality than white cedar. It contains tannic acid, which is a component that acts as a natural preservative. Red cedar has a strong resistance to rot and insect damage, and it stays resilient in many different climates. Certain types of white cedar, however, also provide good stability and resist decay.
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