We know it’s spring in Northern Virginia when the robins and bluebirds arrive. Birds are beautiful and fun to observe. But they can be rough on your roof and damage your gutters. And the last thing we need during spring rains and summer storms are gutters that aren’t doing their job. But with a few professional tricks, we can keep your gutters in great shape and prevent and minimize damage.
How Can Birds Impact My Roof and Gutters?
Gutters aren’t always at the top of our priority list, but they play a vital role in protecting our home from the elements. Gutters collect water runoff from the roof and channel it away from the walls, foundation, and ground below. If they’re blocked or damaged, water can stain your siding, erode the soil around your house and even shift the foundation. Just like the elements, birds can do some serious damage to your roof and gutters.
- Bird nests in gutters are one of the biggest problems. Nests can clog gutters, blocking water flow and preventing gutters from doing their job. When water backs up, it adds weight and can cause gutters to become loose. Blocked water can also cause mold and mildew.
- Trapped water can also damage the roof’s fascia, those straight boards that run along the lower edge of the roof and hold the gutters.
- Birds can bend or pull off gutters when they land on them or fly into them, especially if they’re not properly installed.
- Acidic droppings can stain and damage shingles and other roofing materials. If we don’t remove droppings, they can eat away at shingles and eventually cause leaks.
- Bird nests in vents or chimneys cause ventilation issues and potential fire hazards.
How Can I Prevent Bird-Related Damage to My Roof and Gutters?
Birds are an essential and amazing part of our natural world, and federal law protects many species of birds. So you have to exercise caution when removing nests. However, there are several steps you can take to safely and legally prevent damage from birds.
- Invest in gutter guards to keep birds, leaves, and debris out of your gutters. Top brands like E-Z Gutter guards are galvanized steel screens with a special coating to boost durability. They snap in and out for easy cleaning.
- Add bird spikes to your roof to prevent birds from landing and nesting, and cover your vents with screen guards to keep birds out.
- Try decoys like artificial owls, hawks, or snakes to scare birds away.
- Talk with a qualified pest control company about legal nest removal and the use of bird repellent sprays.
- One of the most important things you can do to prevent bird damage is to get your roof and gutter system inspected regularly. Making sure gutters are clean makes nesting material less available for birds.
- If you notice bird-related damage, call your roofing contractor. If you catch it early, you can avoid expensive repairs.
What Can I Do If I Have Bird-Related Damage?
Just like weather damage, bird-related damage is the easiest to manage if you take action quickly. Here are a few tips that can help:
- Hire a professional to clean bird droppings from your roof. It improves curb appeal and prevents more significant damage and leaks.
- Clean your gutters regularly and repair minor damage promptly.
- When it’s time to replace your gutters, consider an upgrade to a top brand like Aleris gutters. These high-quality aluminum gutters with a unique coating system are resistant to scuffing and abrasions.
- Make sure your gutters are correctly installed by qualified professionals. Proper installation makes your gutters more resistant to the elements and other potential hazards, including birds and other animals.
Gutters are sometimes an afterthought for homeowners when replacing a roof. But they’re one of our best defenses against weather damage. The importance of well-installed, high-quality gutters can’t be understated. At DryHome Roofing & Siding, we have decades of experience with gutter repair and replacement and offer the best quality materials and experienced installers. Let us check out your gutters to see if they are doing their job properly. If it’s time to replace your gutters, let’s make plans for an upgrade that will look great and withstand the forces of nature, even the feathered ones.
