Termites and other insects can be devastating to your roof. They can make it weak and even dangerous. Professional roofers understand how these pests can damage homes. Here are five ways the termites and flies can damage your roof.
1. Eating the Wood
Termites are tiny insects that love to eat wood. They can be very insidious, often concealed inside the wood, so you may not spot them. Your roof is built on wooden elements (e.g., beams, rafters) supporting the roof structure. When termites feed on these wooden parts, they become weaker with time.
If they eat enough, the roof can start to sag or even fall, which is dangerous. Hearing a hollow sound when you tap on your ceiling could mean termites eat the wood inside.
2. Creating Holes
While eating the wood, the termites make small openings. These holes are called “kick-out holes.” Termites eject their excrement out of these holes, which may appear as tiny bits of dirt or sawdust on the floor or inside the house.
When you see small perforations in the ceiling or walls, termites infest and damage the structure. These holes can be challenging to detect at the outset but can be observed with a clinching look. It is also crucial to look for these symptoms and get a professional since if termites feed on wood, they may weaken it.
3. Making Mud Tubes
Certain termite species do this by constructing mud tubes as a protective means to safely move from their nest to the places where they forage.
Mud tubes in the termite’s nest provide protection against desiccation and from other predaceous organisms. When you see tubes around your house, it indicates that termites are close, which can cause damage to your ceiling and other wooden timbers. Acting quickly by calling an expert if you find mud tubes is essential because it shows an active termite problem.
4. Causing Sagging Ceilings
When termites chew on the wood in your roof, the ceiling can sag or droop. A drooping ceiling signals that roof tissue has become compromised and might not hold up for long.
Imagine a rope cut and ripped by many holes—that rope won’t be too strong. If you find any areas of your ceiling sloping down or exhibiting cracks, try and identify termite infestation at the earliest possible moment. Get a roofing professional because a drooping ceiling may cause more severe problems if not dealt with soon.
5. Allowing Water Damage
By eating the wood in your roof, termites get holes, allowing water intrusion when there is rain. Water leakage into the house may cause severe damage in the long term. It can also damage your house’s walls, ceilings, and furniture.
Not only does water damage further degrade the roof, but it can also cause mould formation. Mold, as a fungus, can cause disease.
Conclusion
If you think your roof is being affected by termites or some other pests, don’t wait. Get in touch with a professional roofer in Oshawa roofing company to visit your house and fix any problems that may become worse. Periodic checks can protect your home and make it more robust against these pests.