Replacing Your Roof? The Perfect Time for Wildlife Prevention
HWCS Expert Team
If you are planning to replace your roof this year, you have a golden opportunity. A roof replacement is expensive, so you want to protect that investment. It is also the single best time to address the structural flaws that allow animals to enter your home.
The “Construction Gap”
The most common entry point for wildlife isn’t a rot hole; it’s a gap left by builders. When the roof decking (plywood) meets the fascia board (where the gutter hangs), there is often a 1-inch gap for airflow.
- The Problem: Builders cover this with shingles or drip edge, but raccoons can easily lift the shingles and push through.
- The Fix: During re-roofing, ask your roofer to install “drip edge” that extends deeper or to install a layer of hardware cloth (steel mesh) over this gap before laying the shingles.
Ridge Vents
Ridge vents are great for ventilation but can be weak points.
- Standard Vents: Many plastic ridge vents have large openings that bats and mice can squeeze through.
- The Fix: Choose a ridge vent product with a built-in internal filter or reinforced baffle designed to keep pests out.
Why Involve HWCS?
We often partner with homeowners during the roofing process.
- Inspection: We can inspect the deck once the old shingles are torn off to identify historical entry points or nesting damage.
- Exclusion: We can install specialized guards on power fans, plumbing stacks, and chimneys while the roofers are working, ensuring a seamless look.
Don’t seal animals in with a new roof. Have us inspect before the work starts, and upgrade your defenses while the ladders are up.