Living in Queensland means sharing your environment with a wide range of native wildlife. While spotting birds, possums, or even bush turkeys in your backyard might be part of the charm, these same animals can wreak havoc on your roof without you even realising it.
At Storm Call Roofing Projects, we’ve seen firsthand how seemingly small animal activity can lead to significant tile damage, leaks, and expensive repairs. In this blog, we’ll explore how wildlife can impact your tiled roof, and what you can do to prevent it.
Common Wildlife That Target Tiled Roofs
Queensland’s climate and roof styles make for ideal conditions for certain animals looking for shelter or a nesting site. The usual suspects include:
- Possums – Often sneak into roof cavities by lifting loose tiles or squeezing under ridge caps.
- Birds – Particularly pigeons and Indian mynas, which nest beneath tiles and cause mess, blockages, and erosion.
- Rodents – Rats and mice can chew through sarking and insulation, leaving your roof exposed to leaks.
- Geckos and insects – While smaller, they often enter through gaps and can attract larger predators like snakes.
- Snakes – Rare, but can follow rodents into roof cavities, creating further risk and concern for homeowners.
How Wildlife Damages Tiled Roofs
Wildlife doesn’t need to be large to cause serious roof problems. Here’s what we commonly find during inspections:
Dislodged Tiles
Possums and birds often shift or lift tiles as they try to gain access to roof cavities. Even slight movement can break tile seals or expose the underlayment, leading to leaks when it rains.
Broken Ridge Capping
Animals moving across ridge lines can disturb or crack the mortar used to secure capping tiles. This weakens the roof structure and allows water and pests in.
Damaged Sarking
Rodents and possums love to chew. Once they get into your roof, they’ll often tear or chew through the sarking (the protective lining under your tiles), reducing your roof’s water resistance and ventilation performance.
Blocked Gutters and Valleys
Nesting materials, feathers, droppings, and debris can accumulate quickly in gutters and valleys, blocking water flow and increasing the risk of water backing up under the tiles during heavy rain.
Signs Wildlife May Be in Your Roof
If you’re not regularly checking your roof, wildlife damage can go unnoticed until it becomes serious. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Scratching or thumping noises in your ceiling at night (especially from possums or rodents).
- Droppings around the roofline or gutters.
- Dislodged tiles or ridge capping.
- Nests, feathers, or nesting material visible under eaves or roof edges.
- A sudden increase in birds or rodents around your property.
How to Prevent Wildlife Damage
You can’t always stop animals from trying, but there are several steps you can take to prevent wildlife from accessing your roof:
- Install gutter guards to stop birds and rodents from nesting or entering through gutter lines.
- Trim overhanging branches to limit possum and rodent access.
- Regularly inspect and secure loose tiles or ridge capping to reduce entry points.
- Seal gaps in eaves, roof flashing, or vents.
- Engage a pest controller or wildlife expert if you suspect an infestation.
When to Call a Roofing Professional
Once wildlife has disturbed your roof, it’s important to have a qualified roofer assess the damage. DIY fixes might not address hidden issues, and simply patching things up can leave your roof vulnerable to future entry.
At Storm Call Roofing Projects, we:
- Check for tile movement or breakage caused by animals.
- Inspect and repair ridge capping and sarking.
- Identify points of entry and advise on sealing them properly.
- Provide honest, practical advice on protecting your roof for the long term.
Keep Wildlife Outside Where They Belong
Tiled roofs are strong, but they’re not immune to damage from curious or determined wildlife. The key is early detection, proper sealing, and preventative care.
If you’ve noticed unusual activity on your roof, or want peace of mind heading into storm season, book a roof inspection with Storm Call Roofing Projects. We’re here to make sure your home stays safe, sound, and critter-free.
