LOFT ENTRY
Loft entry is the second most common reported area within domestic houses. Not motivated by feeding, gestating females and nesting are the primary objective.
Rats in lofts can be the most disruptive as the noise is audible whilst trying to sleep, rodents are more active at night and will become more confident in silence, rather than the household noise throughout the day.
Rat loft entry is normally either party wall or through the cavity from drainage defects, sealing a loft is very difficult and requires internal proofing and proofing from external fascias and the adjoining neighbour.
Only a few companies can successfully stop rat entry as the process is complex and lofts are difficult to seal, normally lofts have multiple potential penetrations, gaps, cavity and pipe runs from old water tanks and heating systems.
Internally proofing lofts requires removal of insulation and visual access to the area which in busy lofts with bad access can be difficult. Perforated mesh needs to be fitted any alternative method risks the loft essential air flow, we often see expanding foam which is inadequate.
THE LOFT PROOFING PROCESS
Scope of works
1. Survey
To determine if completion of drainage and external only works, might stop the source entry at ground floor i.e. if the rodents are not passing a party wall.
After six-week observation period to assess whether completed external perimeter works and drainage repairs have successfully prevented continued rodent activity.
Determination, following the observation period, as to whether full loft proofing is required?
2. Loft Clearance
- Removal of all loft insulation contaminated with rodent faeces, urine, and/or nesting materials.
- Secure bagging and removal of contaminated materials from site in accordance with waste regulations.
- Clearance works undertaken to assist in the dissipation of residual tracking odours
3. Loft Sanitation
- Full sanitisation of the loft area using Rosen 1–12 sanitation fluids.
- Spray application to all accessible loft surfaces to eliminate bacteria and neutralise odours associated with rodent activity.
4. Loft Proofing
- Full proofing of the loft using perforated mesh to prevent rodent and squirrel ingress.
- Proofing of all joist cavity voids within the loft floor and ceiling where access may occur via soffits or fascia.
- Apex proofing with perforated mesh, mechanically fixed with staples and sealed using silicone and/or glass fibre and cement reinforced with glass fibre.
- Proofing of all service penetrations, including:
- Open vents
- Cold water storage tanks and overflows
- Plumbing pipework
- Electrical service entries
- Sealing of all identified voids, cavities, chimney structures, and floor-level entry points to prevent nesting or movement between cavities and party walls.
5. Objective
To eliminate existing contamination, remove attractant odours, and fully prevent future rodent or squirrel ingress into the loft space.
We can usually quote for proofing against rats in the roof when we survey the drains and can provide an accurate costing or if you would rather get a quotation we can advise based on photos and the square meterage.
Loft proofing is normally 3-5 days to complete depending on the loft accessibility and size, the works are comparable with our normal drainage and external proofing and after completion we will guarantee the loft against further entry for 12 months.
GET A LOFT PROOFING QUOTE
Contact us today if you have any questions or require a quotation for loft proofing, if you do not require a full site survey photos can be used to advise the cost if preferred.
Loft proofing is costed per M2 £5.00 (width and length of loft)
You can call us on 0203 858 9902 or fill out the form below