Logo

Contact us

1800 550 037

Mon - Fri 08:00am - 05:00pm AEST

Follow us

Queensland Office

15 Ferrett St
Eagle Farm QLD 4009

PO Box 426
Hamilton Central QLD 4007

New South Wales Office

35 Mangrove Lane
Taren Point NSW 2229

PO Box 2806
Taren Point NSW 2229

Victoria Office

27 Barry Road
Campbellfield VIC 3061

 

How can birds damage your building’s roof?

How can birds damage your building’s roof

How can birds damage your building’s roof?

If you were asked to write a list of things that could potentially cause harm to your roof, what would you put down? Extreme weather, excessive extra weight such as heavy hail and perhaps the simple passage of time would come near the top. However, another threat to your roof is one that lives, breathes and flies – birds.

Although you may initially think that a gang of birds hanging out on your roof may give your building an extra, natural aesthetic, the truth is, there are several species that can cause severe damage to your roof. Birds using your roof as a home can cause leaks, peel shingle and block your gutters with their nests. So, it’s important that, if you believe a family of pigeons have taken up residence, you move them on. Let’s take a look at what damage birds can cause your roof:

Droppings

We all know how irritating it is when you’ve given your car a fresh wax and polish, only for a passing bird to make a mess of the windscreen mere moments later. However, that’s just a minor inconvenience.

Imagine the same thing happening, many times over and over by the seagulls, pigeons and other assorted birds that reside on your roof. It’s true that you’ll rarely see the unsightly mess, but droppings can, over time, block drainpipes and decrease the efficiency of gutters.

Not only that, but the acidic properties of bird droppings can rust and corrode your roof – a real problem if it’s a metal roof. This can cause leaks and dissolve any paintwork on your building. These acidic properties of bird droppings can also create rust, corrosion and other issues that will call for roof maintenance or repair.

Birds using your roof as a home can cause leaks, peel shingle and block your gutters.

Nesting

Should your roof contain any point of external entry, no matter how small (you’d be surprised at how adept our feathered friends are at squeezing through the tiniest of gaps), the ceiling cavities could be at risk of becoming a nesting ground. Think about it: it’s warm, hidden, safe and rent-free – who wouldn’t want to take up residence?

Pigeons live all across Australia – but are they living in your roof?
Pigeons live all across Australia – but are they living in your roof?

According to a report by Blue Mountain Mesh, pigeons, starlings and Indian Myna birds are notorious for building nests in roof areas. Not only will their twigs, leaves and other materials that they use block gutters and cause flooding, but they will leave it there once they migrate. These materials dry out and become combustible, creating a notable fire risk.

Worse, a habit of the Indian Myna birds is to build around four nests, but use only one – quadruple the trouble!

If you believe your roof needs revamping due to past or present bird problems, don’t hesitate to get in touch with R&BS today.