ᐅ Martens in the roof space of a new build? Construction defect?
Created on: 26 Jan 2016 15:17
K
kklaus
Hello everyone,
We have been living in our own home, a mid-terrace house, since summer 2014. Our problem is a marten. We have had this marten issue since the first winter after moving in (2014). At first, we couldn’t identify it—just some scratching and rummaging noises under the sloped ceiling in our daughter’s room, and then nothing for a long time. Last autumn (2015), it happened a few times again, as if something was about to claw through the drywall and OSB panels. That’s when we started researching and concluded that it must be a marten. It appeared again just yesterday.
Reading reports online, this unwanted visitor can cause a lot of damage, and I don’t even want to imagine what the insulation looks like now and how many carcasses have decomposed there! All suggestions for repelling martens using "smells" that need to be placed regularly nearby won’t work for us because the marten moves in an area under the tiles within the insulation, which we cannot access. We also don’t have an attic; it has been converted and now houses the heat recovery unit. Our neighbors don’t have this problem—or don’t notice it—but we are the only ones with dormer windows on the roof, and I imagine this might make it easier or even enable the marten to enter.
Shouldn’t a new house be built in a way that keeps unwanted guests out?
What options do we have with our builder, who casually says that we first have to prove there is a building defect or damage they are responsible for?
Who establishes or can handle this chain of evidence for us?
Would legal expenses insurance and then a lawyer help?
I don’t have the funds at hand to quickly erect scaffolding and hire tradespeople to repair everything and secure the house against re-entry and/or collect evidence.
I have already spoken with building experts, but they are not familiar with these kinds of problems and refer me to pest control or the forestry office. However, martens are protected by conservation laws, and if one is removed, another will come. Also, pest control services are costly, especially since the animal is not regularly present, and this is a building with five units and many access points to the roof for the marten, which certainly increases the expense. Setting traps, inspections, questioning neighbors—who knows?
Help, what should I do, how should I proceed? Something needs to be done!!
Best regards,
Klaus
We have been living in our own home, a mid-terrace house, since summer 2014. Our problem is a marten. We have had this marten issue since the first winter after moving in (2014). At first, we couldn’t identify it—just some scratching and rummaging noises under the sloped ceiling in our daughter’s room, and then nothing for a long time. Last autumn (2015), it happened a few times again, as if something was about to claw through the drywall and OSB panels. That’s when we started researching and concluded that it must be a marten. It appeared again just yesterday.
Reading reports online, this unwanted visitor can cause a lot of damage, and I don’t even want to imagine what the insulation looks like now and how many carcasses have decomposed there! All suggestions for repelling martens using "smells" that need to be placed regularly nearby won’t work for us because the marten moves in an area under the tiles within the insulation, which we cannot access. We also don’t have an attic; it has been converted and now houses the heat recovery unit. Our neighbors don’t have this problem—or don’t notice it—but we are the only ones with dormer windows on the roof, and I imagine this might make it easier or even enable the marten to enter.
Shouldn’t a new house be built in a way that keeps unwanted guests out?
What options do we have with our builder, who casually says that we first have to prove there is a building defect or damage they are responsible for?
Who establishes or can handle this chain of evidence for us?
Would legal expenses insurance and then a lawyer help?
I don’t have the funds at hand to quickly erect scaffolding and hire tradespeople to repair everything and secure the house against re-entry and/or collect evidence.
I have already spoken with building experts, but they are not familiar with these kinds of problems and refer me to pest control or the forestry office. However, martens are protected by conservation laws, and if one is removed, another will come. Also, pest control services are costly, especially since the animal is not regularly present, and this is a building with five units and many access points to the roof for the marten, which certainly increases the expense. Setting traps, inspections, questioning neighbors—who knows?
Help, what should I do, how should I proceed? Something needs to be done!!
Best regards,
Klaus
S
Sebastian7926 Jan 2016 16:19You seem to be a very irritable person who gets upset quickly. At least, these few lines from you reveal a lot – if that can be said at all.
I can well imagine how frustrating that is, but try to take a deep breath – this really falls under "bad luck." You can’t be protected against everything, and it can happen to anyone.
I can well imagine how frustrating that is, but try to take a deep breath – this really falls under "bad luck." You can’t be protected against everything, and it can happen to anyone.
D
Doc.Schnaggls26 Jan 2016 17:07kklaus schrieb:
I actually thought this was a forum where I would be taken seriously... But from "loan sharks" like this, there are obviously no better answers to such questions, thank you very much!!What you shout into the forest is what echoes back...
Sorry, but it’s really poor conduct to attack a forum member personally because of their profession...
Have you ever had a look at the forum rules – especially point 2?
2. Netiquette
2.1) No insults
Users as well as publicly mentioned persons, companies, or organizations must be treated with respect. Terms like bum, junk shop, etc. are to be avoided.
No regards from another "loan shark"
It’s quite shocking how people react instead of first trying to gather information online. If the original poster had done that, it would become clear how these animals manage to get in. There are also plenty of recommendations for experts who specialize in this.
One option among many would be to contact the forestry office, which can provide experienced hunters with the proper authorization and expertise. Tracking these creatures requires experience. Blaming the tree maintenance is definitely the wrong approach.
One option among many would be to contact the forestry office, which can provide experienced hunters with the proper authorization and expertise. Tracking these creatures requires experience. Blaming the tree maintenance is definitely the wrong approach.