Raccoon Damage

Raccoon Damage from raccoons can be quite dramatic. This picture shows one example of just how bad it can be. We are only looking at the outside of the home. Raccoons have obviously climbed up the brick wall (yes they can do that). They found their way into the attic probably from somewhere on the roof. If the damage outside looks bad, image what the attic looks like inside.  In this case the raccoons have actually fallen through the flashing. They probably ended on the ground and then climbed back up again.

Insulation is hanging down and the flashing is ruined. If this is winter time moisture and snow is going to be blown in through this hole causing even more damage to the home. The homeowner obviously allowed this situation to go on for too long before being forced to do something about the situation. He or she should have made repairs. He should have taken steps to block the raccoons from entering his attic the moment they heard or observed something going on in their attic. Now it is far too late. They are looking at major repairs that will cost a great deal of money.

Raccoon Damage – What Repairs Need to be Made

Well the obvious is that the insulation must be replaced and the flashing replaced. But the real damage is inside. Most likely the damage includes insulation that has been moved around. As a result the home is not receiving the same insulating value all over. This cause moisture to form in the attic and anytime you have moisture you have the potential for mold and for water damage. But this is not the worst problem.

Urine from the raccoons and feces will saturate your insulation. It will smell bad and there is a potential health risk as well. All of the insulation must be replaced and disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. There are microscopic worms in the feces which can kill humans if breathed in to your lungs. Make no mistake there is a right way to remove insulation and there is a wrong way. Hire experts who know how to remove the insulation safely. For more information on this subject refer to some our health related posts on this site.

Raccoon Damage – Permanent Solution to Raccoons in Your Attic

Once all of the repairs are completed, your insulation replaced and the flashing repaired or replaced, the raccoons are going to come right back unless you stop them. Trapping them is not the answer and poisoning them does not work either. There are lots of raccoons in your area and another family will just come a long and move in sometime.

The right way to stop raccoons from entering your attic is to install a heavy gauge wire mesh across the opening that prevents them from creating another opening into your attic. This is mandatory if you are going to prevent future damage. In addition if you suspect that the raccoons have babies inside your attic, you will need to wait until they are old enough to travel. Then install a one way trap door so they can get out but not back inside. If you do not follow this approach, the parents are going to make an even larger hole in your roof when they try to rescue the baby raccoons.

Once you are sure that all of the raccoons are out, replace the one way trap door with a permanent cover over the opening so that there is no way they can reenter. You will want to complete all of your repairs at the same time. Taking this approach will also keep birds and squirrels out as well.

The damage that raccoons can cause is in the thousands of dollars, not to mention the mess and the frustration that we all feel if our home is invaded. Don’t procrastinate, do something about your problem immediately of you want to manage and contain the damage to your home.

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