We’re all familiar with the sound of birds in the morning. But sometimes, you’ll notice that sound getting a bit louder than usual. When it’s paired with a gentle pitter patter from above, it could mean that birds are nesting on your roof.
It’s only natural to wonder whether they’re doing any damage while they’re up there. After all, you don’t want the first sign of trouble to be water leaking in. Read on as we discuss whether birds can damage your roof.
Are there birds on my roof?
If you can hear birds chirping and they sound pretty close, the answer is most probably yes – there are birds on your roof. In the UK, there are a number of species including swifts, sparrows and starlings, which tend to nest in chimneys or under eaves.
If you want to know for sure, you can look up at your eaves from the bottom of your house. You should be able to see some signs of nesting or just a small gap which they have used as an entry point. Alternatively, you can go up to your loft to see if there are any nests within your roof space.
Can they cause damage?
The good news is, birds don’t tend to cause damage by nesting in or around your roof. According to the RSPB, it’s the existing damage you should be worried about. Rather than causing damage, birds will actually exploit damage when searching for a spot to nest.
Whether it’s loose flashing, a cracked tile or a gap in the eaves, birds will use that as a point of entry, then set up their nest in the space they can access. Even though most birds won’t do any damage, the sound of them moving around and chirping can be a major disturbance – especially early in the morning.
However, once birds have set up a nest, you can’t damage or destroy it until the young have left – all bird nests are protected by law. What you can do is prevent them being set up in the first place.
How to prevent birds nesting
The legal protection for birds’ nests only applies to active nests. Birds typically flee their nests between October and February, providing a window to repair your roof and eliminate the problem area which allowed them access in the first place, including:
- Replacing cracked, loose or missing roof tiles
- Identifying and repairing any gaps in flashing
- Cleaning out and sealing holes in your eaves
All that said, the RSPB stresses that roofs are vital sanctuaries for birds, because of the loss of natural nesting spots. If you’re looking to seal off your roof to birds, they encourage the use of nest boxes under the eaves.
Roof repairs in Barnsley
If you’re concerned about damage to your roof which has been exploited or even caused by birds, the team at DPR Roofing is on hand to help. With over three decades of experience in roofing, we can identify and seal off any damage and points of entry to prevent birds nesting in the future.
To arrange an inspection, give us a call on 01226 670 008 or email [email protected].