Keep Your Tile Roof From Suffering Pest Damage

Birds, rodents, and insects can live under your roof tile and create damage when they nest, chew, and leave droppings in the area. In some cases, pests may also carry disease and parasites. Here are some top strategies for protecting your tile roof from pest damage and intrusion.

1. Check the Eave (Roof Drainage Line)

The eave line is a typical area for pests to gain access to the underside of a tile roof. The lack of eave metal and/or tile riser (bird stop or mortar, if 2-piece tile) provides easy access to the area beneath roof tile. Once under the tile, pests may decide to make themselves at home, building nests and stocking food supplies under the tile.

Talk to your roofing contractor about how to best address this issue. Your roofing contractor will be able to inspect this area, look for signs of pest damage, recommend a solution, and provide the right service for your roof.

2. Use the Right Flashing

Poorly installed, mismatched, and/or rusted flashing at chimneys, vents, and valleys can leave your roof susceptible to water and pest damage. Not only is loose flashing easier to pry up, giving pests an entry point, it also lets water through to the roof deck. Once the roof deck is water damaged, it can become softer and easier to gnaw through.

If you have pest concerns, ensure that flashings are properly installed. Flashings should be checked as part of an annual roof check.

3. Fill Spaces Under the Tiles

Rats, bats, squirrels, and other pests are able to easily crawl under high-profile tile. These include 2-piece, s-profile, and other curved tiles.

At eaves, for concrete, tile edge metal and tile riser should be installed. For 2-piece tile, either clay bird stop or mortar should be used to pack the hole beneath the tile. Along hips and ridge lines, either weather-stop or mortar should be used to close the opening, limiting access beneath the tile and minimizing the risk of water damage.

4. Reduce Access

Blocking likely access points will minimize the risk of pests damaging your roof system and entering attic space. There is little quite as disappointing as hearing the sound of rats running in the attic when you are trying to go to sleep. Installing 1/4” wire mesh at openings for roof vents greatly reduces the chance for mice and rats to get into your attic.

Other steps to take include:

• Keep trees and bushes trimmed back from the roof and walls.
• Minimize availability of food sources.
• Use squirrel guards on any nearby poles or trees.
• Remove debris from around house walls.

For thorough reduced access to your roof and home, rely on your roofing contractor for the best results. Your roofing contractor can examine the access points, recommend customized solutions, and perform services as needed.

5. Schedule Annual Roof Checks

An annual roof check provides opportunity to identify the presence of pests at a tile roof.  Penetrations, eave line, flashings, hips/ridges, and field tile can be checked for obvious signs of damage and/or age-related deterioration. Random tile may be lifted to check the condition of underlayment and for evidence of pests (nests, droppings, etc.).

These strategies can help you protect your tile roof from pest damage. For more information on the services we provide, get in touch with SUNVEK today. We perform courtesy roof checks to assess roof condition and identify whether there is an obvious presence of pests. We look forward to helping and speaking with you about all your roof issues, pest-related or not. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.