Here in beautiful Colorado, we are not strangers to wildlife. Whether you’re taking a weekend hike in Estes Park or you’re looking into your backyard out the kitchen window, there’s a good chance that you’re going to see some type of wildlife. The truth is, our state has worked hard to conserve wildlife and ensure that our state continues to be a safe haven for various types of animals. 

While we are all for making sure that animals are able to call Colorado home, it’s not ideal that they call the roof of your commercial building, home. Unfortunately, the cases of this happening are all too likely. 

In today’s blog post, the team at Denali Roofing is going to go over a few of the ways that wildlife can damage your commercial roof. As much as we understand not wanting to move these animals, it’s good to know the type of damage that leaving them be can do to your roof and your building as a whole. 

Outer Layer Damage

One thing that we do want to note before getting started is that a majority of the damage that you notice on your roof will be the outer layer of the roof. This type of damage happens when animals try to make their way into your building for additional protection or coverage. While that may be the part that they damage, these open and exposed parts of your roof can lead to far worse damage that is not limited to but includes the following:

Ventilation Pipes

Most ventilation pipes on commercial building roofs will have a protective boot that surrounds the pipe. These are often made from a soft metal material to keep water out of the pipes. One of the many ways that animals can damage a commercial roof is by chewing on the protective boot and the pipe itself. Whether their intentions are to get inside of the pipe or out of pure curiosity, these little bite marks can lead to water leaks and water damage. That’s on the modest side of this particular part of the roof. 

If the rodent is able to chew through the metal or the tubing, they could make their way into the pipe, create nests or find their way to the attic of your building. Basically, you’re going to want to keep your eyes on your ventilation pipes.

Damaged Shingles

While not all commercial buildings will have roofs with shingles, a lot of up and coming buildings are using them to create a small-town, homey feel. Though they look amazing, these house-like roofs come with their own sets of wildlife worries. For starters, a majority of your roof is going to be made up of shingles, so it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise that wildlife can damage them. Certain animals, like raccoons, are known for being extremely determined when looking for a place to call home. In fact, raccoons have been known to dig through whatever it takes to get to the attic or crawl space, meaning that they’ll chew through shingles, insulation, and the entire roofing system if they need to. 

Damaged shingles may not seem like a big deal, but they too can lead to water damage and much more serious roofing issues down the road. 

Long-Term Issues

Moving animals can be difficult to do when you’re trying to respect the wildlife of the state. While your intentions may be good, most animals are protective of their territory, and if their home becomes the top of your commercial building, it can be difficult to navigate around them to do work on your building in the future. Aside from that, certain animals are known for coming back to the same nesting place time and time again. If you let these animals get comfortable enough to see your commercial building as home, chances are high that they’re not going anywhere anytime soon. 

Contact Denali Roofing

Whether you are aware of damage on the roof of your commercial building or you would simply like to have a team of professionals come out to inspect it, contact Denali Roofing to get the job done. As the Top Rated Local® Commercial Roofing Company in Fort Collins, we have the years of experience and extensive knowledge to ensure that your roof remains in good condition for years to come. Browse the variety of commercial roofing services that we offer, and reach out to us today for a free roof inspection!