Simply press the Gutter Spikes onto the guttering lip, using the integral plastic clips (shown on the above picture). The clips are on the outside edge of the guttering, positioning the bird spikes in the centre of the gutter. That’s it, it really is that easy. As always with all gutter repairs, use extreme caution when climbing ladders. If you are not comfortable on a ladder, than you shouldn’t be climbing up there to try and do any repairs. LOOSE GUTTER SPIKES AT MY GUTTER PRO Although there are many different designs and types of balcony, we will look at the two most common designs. Balconies that are flush with the fascia of the building (i.e. recessed balconies) and balconies that sit proud of the fascia of the building. In both cases these balconies can be protected using DIY pigeon deterrent methods. It is, of course, the windowsill where a pigeon will perch or roost and not on the window frame itself, although on feature windows in churches and period properties the transom, or stone cross member that forms part of the window frame itself, can be used by pigeons for perching or overnight roosting. We will cover the protection of church windows and similar feature windows under a separate heading. When it gets hot, the wood can lose water and shrink. On the other hand, in cold weather, it may absorb moisture and expand.

Many churches and other buildings with similar architectural features are now being converted to residential and commercial usage and, as a result, residents and tenants are having to find ways of controlling pigeon populations that have historically used this building type for the purpose of overnight roosting and breeding. Churches and pre 20th-century buildings are commonly used by pigeons due to the extensive roosting and breeding opportunities afforded them by the complex architectural features. Not only this, but churchyards are regularly used by people wishing to feed pigeons and therefore it is not only possible to experience entrenched overnight roosting problems but also daytime perching issues where the birds are exploiting a food source.Although screws usually come with aluminum spacers, you can also reuse those previously installed on your gutter. Nevertheless, ensure that they’re in good condition. Although many of the DIY devices for excluding pigeons, as with conventional products, can be used in the same way on any type of property, there are instances when you may need to provide a different DIY solution dependent on your property type. To an extent, the location of your building is also an issue, but less so than property type. Period properties, in the Victorian/Edwardian styles, can offer extensive perching and roosting opportunities for pigeons due, in the main, to their architectural features. Decorative features on the exterior of period properties as well as multiple roof lines, degradable soffits (made from timber) and wide windowsills all offer the pigeon optimum perching or roosting opportunities. Modern properties tend to have fewer external features that are attractive to pigeons and therefore problems tend to be less common. There are three ways you can fix loose gutter nails—all of which are fairly easy. On top of that, you only need a few basic tools, such as a hammer and an electric screwdriver.

Besides that, the regular run-down of water into your home makes it prone to microbial growth. That said, molds and bacteria pose health risks to your household. Final Thoughts Pigeons Overnight RoostingIf your problem appears to be as a result of pigeons roosting overnight on your building you will need to take steps to resolve the problem by installing DIY pigeon deterrents, or possibly a combination of DIY deterrents alongside commercially available options. Alternatively, if you choose to make an access point in one of the mesh walls then you will need to cut a hole out of one of the mesh panels that is large enough to push the food through onto the table. You will then need to cut another piece of mesh, approximately 1.0” larger than the hole you have made and then hinge it (by using electrical cable ties) over the hole. You have now made a door that can be opened and closed when filling the table with food and that is hinged via the electrical cable ties. To keep the door shut simply use two clothes pegs hooked over the base of the door and the mesh panel itself. This is often seen as being the most conventional of all window types but with UPVC becoming so popular and often using centrally-hinged or top/bottom-hinged windows that open in and out the side-hinged window is becoming rarer. Whether you have a single side-hinged window or a double, installation is the same. Assuming that the gap between the base of the window (when open) and the sill is greater than 3” then the provision of wires spanning the sill from one side to another, as described for sash windows, will be the most effective DIY pigeon deterrent option. If, however, the clearance between the base of the window when open and the sill is less than 3” then another option will need to be considered.The industry standard method of protecting exposed pipework is to use anti-roosting spikes. A good quality spike should be sourced from a reputable company on the Internet and the product can then be DIY installed as described above.

The Bird Spikes are sold in metres. Each metre consists of three 33.4 cm (13 inches) sections. For shorter lengths, the base of the product can be snapped into lengths from just 3cm (1 inch) long. If a baton framework is to be used then the baton will have to be cut to form a frame that will fit comfortably onto the flat fascia of the window frame. The baton frame should then be offered up to the window frame and installed by drilling into the mortar joints and inserting a Rawlplug and screw. The frame should only require 3 or 4 screws to complete the installation as the frame will be supporting little weight. Once the baton is in situ, and it has been treated with a preservative or painted, the mesh can be stapled directly onto the baton. This completes the installation.

Why is a perching pigeon bad for gutters?

The industry standard method of protecting a balcony is to install pigeon deterrent nylon bird netting to physically prevent pigeons entering the recess. If using nylon bird netting we strongly recommend that you read the Nylon Bird Netting product review before even considering this option.

If you have any issues causing your gutters to come loose, we’ll let you know exactly what the issues are and what we can do to fix them. Spikes are fastened to the fascia board, which is typically made out of wood. This material is sensitive to temperature and moisture.

Installation Guide

Each section of gutter spikes (33.4cm) is made up of 4 rows of 5 pins (see pictures above), which protrude at different angles making it extremely difficult for birds to gain access to the gutter. The front of the average terraced house has approx 5 metres of standard round gutter. You may need to drill new holes if the existing ones seem damaged. Otherwise, your gutter will sag sooner than you expect. Another area of a property where pigeons can sometimes be found roosting, but which is often overlooked, is either under the roof/gutter overhang of a dormer window or where two different roof levels meet and an overhang is created. When inspecting these areas it will be necessary to do so in daylight as it is unlikely that pigeons will be visible from the ground by torchlight. As the roosting birds are unlikely to be in situ during the daytime other evidence of roosting will have to be found. White staining on the lead flashing around a dormer window is normally conclusive evidence that pigeons have been roosting overnight. Likewise, white staining on the roof tiles in an area where two roof levels meet confirms that pigeons have been roosting in these areas. Fixing loose gutter spikes is the easiest gutter repair there is. All you need to perform this is a ladder, and a rubber mallet.