Since a roof is out of sight, many homeowners do not realize the many pests that can attack this roof. If periodic maintenance is not undertaken, the roof can rot, decay, and soon start leaking. If left untouched and uncared for, a roof may need replacement soon and this can be extremely expensive besides disrupting the whole house. So, the first step in taking care of roofs is to inspect the roof quite frequently.Very often, you will hear odd noises and scratching coming from the roof. The best way to tell if pests have overtaken your roof is by inspecting the roof, eaves and any other protrusions where nests can be built. Some of the common pests that can infest a roof include -Rats -Mice -Birds -Bats -Moss

As I have said, dirty roof is often one of the most important causes of roof leakage. Inspect your roof regularly for the following: -Birds’ nests can cause damage to the roof and health problem for the inmates. -Pests such as rats, mice and bats, too can make their nest on the roof. Very often you hear them making noise on the roof. This is not only annoying, but also is dangerous for your roof -Formation of moss on the roof is dangerous too. Look for them in shaded places and under accumulated debris.

Even if you do not see any nest, look for their droppings. If the pests have made a colony there, they will definitely leave a large amount of droppings and if you examine them, you will be able to tell if that belongs to a brown rat, black rat, mouse, bat or a bird; their size and shape will definitely give that away. If you do not get rid of them quickly, they may invite parasites into your home and their droppings may cause many health problems.

Of all the birds, the pigeons can cause the maximum damages because they generally live in colony and multiply quickly. To contain them, you can either use traps or install anti-nesting spike strips on the roof or overhanging eaves. Whatever you do, make sure that they do not settle on your roof for good. As for other pests, you can apply pesticides to have them killed; however, it will be far better if you appoint professionals for that.

You see, pesticides are actually poisons and are rather dangerous for others. Moreover, you will not know where to put them. If you call the pest control company, they will not only inspect your roof, but also your attic and other possible places. Besides, they will also guard entry points and will try to find out the reasons why the pests are infesting your home. In short, they will do a thorough job, which you can never do.

The third item on our list is the moss. In fact, the growth of moss and mildew is often considered the main reason for roof damage and water leakage. This is because they generally grow in layers, which keep water trapped under them. Soon this water percolates inward through the joints and cause rotting. Mosses too can eat into certain materials and cause them to rot. Look for them in areas, which rarely get any direct sunlight. Wet and damp weather conditions too encourage their growth.

Roof cleaning is not so easy and must be undertaken in stages. When building a new home or renovating an old one, first ensure that you have easy access to the roof, for only then can periodic maintenance be done. Use a soft bristled broom, first and sweep off the debris from the roof. After removing loose debris, you can next attack the stains on the roof with some oxygen bleach water and a harder brush. Soak stubborn stains for sometime, so that it can be loosened and then be washed off.

First clear off the debris with the help of a soft broom; then look for formation of mosses and other stains. For removing them, soak the affected area with a little oxygen bleach solution; for sterner stains, soak it for a little longer. Once that is done, scrub it off with hard brush and wash off it with water. Other types of roof cleaning chemicals are also available, but make sure that they are suitable for your kind of roof. Another point to remember is that whatever you do, do it with a downward movement. If for instance the water is sprayed upward, it can work its way under the shingles and remain there to cause damage to the structure. However, you can avoid all these, if you hire professional roof cleaners. They will be able to do a more thorough job because they are trained to do it.

Article by Joseph Wilkerson of Los Angeles, who is also a specialist in roofing. For more information on roofing companies in Los Angeles, visit his site today.