There are several different wild animals that are known to invade homes in the New York City area and surrounding areas of New Jersey. However, raccoons may be the most dangerous and destructive home invaders. Racoons are larger than house cats and some breeds of dog, and they can cause serious property damage by tearing apart roofing, walls, and insulation, with their powerful and dexterous paws. The presence of raccoons in your home also poses health risks as racoons could have rabies and their droppings contain dangerous parasites. If you have a raccoon in your home, you must call a wildlife professional to remove the animal safely. Do not try to trap or remove the animal yourself because racoons are crafty and dangerous.
Removing the raccoon is only half the battle. Once the raccoon is gone, you must deal with the damage it has left which could include structural damage to the walls and roof as well as damage to your HVAC system and insulation. Raccoons are always looking to build nests and they tear apart building materials in homes looking for space and nesting materials. If your home has been damaged by a racoon, ServiceMaster Restoration by Complete can repair the damage with our construction services and even safely clean up areas affected by raccoon droppings with our biohazard cleaning services.
The following are the most common issues caused by an invading raccoon.
Roof Damage
Raccoons typically enter homes through the roof and find their way into the attic. The most common way they get onto the roof is by climbing up a nearby tree and they can use their powerful claws to tear through shingles, fascia, and soffits to form an opening. Most raccoons can fit through a 4 to 6-inch diameter hole and if they find a small opening on your roof, they will tear at it to make it bigger. Any roof damage caused by raccoons needs to be repaired as soon as possible because large openings on or near the roof can lead to structural damage and allow rain inside which can cause water damage and mold.
Damage in Attics
Most raccoon damage occurs on the roof and in the attic. Raccoons tear apart attics once inside because they are looking for materials to build a nest. They may rip apart drywall, insulation, and pipe insulation, and they have also been known to tear holes in air ducts and even live within the HVAC system. Raccoons will also chew on wood and wiring which is a major fire risk. Some wildlife professionals may not have the right equipment or training to completely repair all the damage caused by a raccoon in the attic, making it necessary to contact a restoration professional.
Health Risks
A raccoon intrusion in your home raises certain health risks that could affect you and your family. One major health threat is rabies which is why it is best to keep your distance and call a wildlife professional to remove the animal. Other health problems caused by raccoons occur more indirectly. Raccoons could have parasites like mites and fleas that can find their way into the living spaces of your home. The biggest threat is from raccoon droppings as the droppings can contain raccoon roundworm which causes serious health issues in people including blindness. Make sure you stay clear of any areas in your home or attic that may contain raccoon urine or feces. ServiceMaster Restoration by Complete can safely clean up raccoon droppings and eliminate the risks of raccoon roundworm with our biohazard cleaning services.
If you have recently had a raccoon removed from your home in the New York City area and are now faced with the resulting damage, contact ServiceMaster Restoration by Complete for assistance. We can effectively rebuild structural damage to your roof, walls, ceiling, and HVAC system with our reconstruction services and close any openings to prevent future raccoon infestations. You can also trust our technicians to eliminate any threat to your health with thorough and effective biohazard cleaning. Make sure you contact a wildlife professional first to remove the raccoon, and then give us a call to clean up the damage.
