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Squirrels are eating my lead plumbing…

| Posted in General Discussion on May 11, 2000 04:35am

*
I am about to reproof my standard 4/12 seal tab roof. I have 7 lead vent stack covers and have been battling the squirrels who like to chew on them for some reason. I have made little wire covers which has helped some but I am looking for a squirrel proof vent cover or some way to protect them such as some type of paint they won’t eat etc. My pipes are all cast iron.

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  1. Guest_ | May 07, 2000 11:46pm | #1

    *
    Don, Squirrel Grillades

    First you make a roux, then onions, garlic, celery, tomato paste, water. Add meatand simmer til meat falls off bones. Eat over grits.

    Or paint the lead with Daves Insanity Sauce

    KK

    1. Guest_ | May 08, 2000 02:08am | #2

      *Mount a bird feeder on each vent stack.It would work here... Steve

      1. Guest_ | May 08, 2000 02:10am | #3

        *Seriously, could you imbed something sharp in the lead to discourage the gnawing? Could you overlay the lead flashing with the rubber flashing boots used with conventional shingles?Try'n to help, Steve

        1. Guest_ | May 08, 2000 03:14am | #4

          *Pellet gun DIANA 52, .177 H&N match pellets 7.2 Gr., good scope. Got 15 of the little black suckers last fall. Hunting on the roof looks good for this year again.

          1. Guest_ | May 08, 2000 03:16am | #5

            *Spray outside of vent with spray adhesive, dust with capsicum powder (dehydrated red chili pepper powder, sold at garden stores). Watch tree rats drink birdbath dry. Laugh.Better than shooting holes in your roof ...

          2. Guest_ | May 08, 2000 03:56am | #6

            *I had some experience with squirrels on the roof some years ago. Tried everything. Finally, after maybe 10 years, pruned the trees surrounding the house so that there were no limbs that were close enough for the pesky varmints to jump to the house - no more problem.

  2. Don_J | May 08, 2000 04:41am | #7

    *
    Unfortunatly the little critters no doubt have a high lead content..

  3. Guest_ | May 08, 2000 05:34am | #8

    *
    As long as you're re-roofing, why don't you replace the old lead flashings with newer flashings with the rubber rings. They're not that expensive and not difficult to replace.

    1. Guest_ | May 08, 2000 01:53pm | #9

      *Don-KKearny and J Clarke are serious. Coating with hot sauce or pepper will work. Nice recipe too.

  4. Bearmon_ | May 08, 2000 03:02pm | #10

    *
    What Matt said.

  5. Guest_ | May 10, 2000 03:30am | #11

    *
    Same problem, but different situation-sort of comical. My father-in-law(85) has trouble of squirrels getting his bird feeder hanging from the tree. So he cuts a limb off the tree. Of course the squirrels just use another limb. So he cuts off another one. The same thing happens. Now he says he fixed them, took 4"x24' sections of heat pipe and slips around the limbs, says he finally whipped them. Went over to see and it looked like he has a robotic tree!!!!! Hey- it worked!!!

    1. Guest_ | May 10, 2000 04:15am | #12

      *tell him to put a healthy dose of cayene pepper in the bird seed. the birds don't mind but the fuzz knuckles hate it...

      1. Guest_ | May 10, 2000 05:01am | #13

        *Could plant a walnut.But don't eat the squirrels. Bioaccumulation of lead is a bad thing.MD

        1. Guest_ | May 11, 2000 03:26am | #14

          *Call OSHA. They will come out & fine the squirrells to death. No resperators, no msds book, no fall protection, etc, etc.

  6. Don_J | May 11, 2000 05:30am | #15

    *
    That sounds like a plan, if they won't chew on the rubber type. I was planning to replace them all anyway since most of the have been chewed up. Some of them are probably a third roofing cement as I have tried to mend the damage. There is really no way to stop the squirrels from getting on the roof, we have too many big trees and the roofs are about seven feet apart (an easy jump). Also they go up the power pole and come across on the wires - right on to the roof. We are all into squirrel Proofing. Just about every house has aluminum facias and vinyl or aluminum eaves. Does anyone out there have thoughts on the rubber type or any other squirrel resistant types?? Thanks

  7. Guest_ | May 11, 2000 01:55pm | #16

    *
    Not to mention not following lead abatement procedures!

    1. Guest_ | May 11, 2000 04:35pm | #18

      *Plumbing code where I live does not permit the neoprene boots - must be lead - so check before changing.

  8. Don_Jolissaint | May 11, 2000 04:35pm | #17

    *
    I am about to reproof my standard 4/12 seal tab roof. I have 7 lead vent stack covers and have been battling the squirrels who like to chew on them for some reason. I have made little wire covers which has helped some but I am looking for a squirrel proof vent cover or some way to protect them such as some type of paint they won't eat etc. My pipes are all cast iron.

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