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Repair raccoon damage

How to repair raccoon damage and clean up their mess?

If raccoons get into your home, it is highly likely that they will leave behind messy and sometimes even extensive damage in their wake. Raccoons can do a lot of damage both to the exterior and interior of  your home, and knowing how to assess the full scope of this damage and do repairs is important if you want to keep your home safe and sound. The following information will help you learn about the common types of raccoon damage, how to repair it and generally what to do in the aftermath of raccoons in your home. 

Common Types of Raccoon Damage 
There are many types of damage associated with having a raccoon nest inside your home. The following are the most common types of damage that owners will experience. 

Damage to the roof:
The most common way that raccoons enter a home is through the roof. They do this by climbing onto the roof and creating holes with their powerful claws and teeth. The damage to the roof in this case is both exterior and interior; they will damage shingles and literally create a hole in the roof’s exterior while chewing through insulation and other materials once they have made it inside. 

Damaged insulation and drywall:
One of the most common types of interior damage you will see from raccoons is damage to drywall and insulation. They will chew through both materials, rip it up, and generally make a mess of things. 

Damaged electrical wires:
Raccoons can and will chew on—and through—electrical wires. Not only will this damage the electrical components of your home, but it is also a huge fire hazard which will place your home—and your safety—at risk. Other types of damage include chewed on or destroyed wood; damage to air ducts; as well as the presence of raccoon urine and feces. 

Repairing Raccoon Damage 
The types of repairs you will need to do after raccoons have been removed from your home will depend on the damage they left behind. If raccoons have damaged your roof, then you will need to hire a professional roof repair service to assess the damage and then repair what the raccoons have destroyed. It is important to have your roof repaired as quickly as possible to prevent further damage or extended damage to the rest of your home’s structure.

Likewise, you will want to assess the damage to insulation, drywall and other interior elements of your home. In some cases, you may be able to repair the damage yourself but in other cases it’s best to hire a professional.

If the raccoons have damaged anything electrical, you should contact a professional immediately. Electrical damage can be a major fire risk, so you don’t want to attempt to repair this damage yourself or take any chances by waiting to have it assessed. Let the company know that you have electrical wiring damage so they can come out ASAP.

Remember to keep the above information in mind when assessing damage after raccoons have been removed from your home.