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If you live in the country, near fields or woodlands, it is highly likely that you will experience some kind of damage to your electrical installation unless you use poison on a regular basis.
During my time as an electrician, I have seen and heard most things so not much surprises me now. The first you are going to know about it is when part of your installation fails in some way and hopefully this will only be a Fuse popping or MCB tripping.
For the DIY'er to find the fault it can be quite challenging and time consuming. For an electrician to find the fault it can be quicker to isolate the problem area with the relevant test equipment however, once the area is found, it is still a matter of lifting floor boards or gaining access in loft spaces and sometimes even this is not possible.
There was an occasion when a colleague of mine drilled into a customer ceiling and a large area collapsed on him followed by about 50 live mice!
The mouse that did not get away.
Same mouse, different angle.
Sample of the damage
Sample of the damage
Sample of the damage
If you want to see a sample of Infestation go to Squirrel Infestation
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These pictures were taken in the loft space above a top floor flat that had a serious squirrel infestation. Externally to the building was a tree branch close to the guttering and sofit The squirrels chewed through the sofit to get access to the loft. When I first beamed a torch around I noted about 5 pairs of eyes but I believe there was many more.
Picture 1
As with all rodents, squirrels are attracked to the PVC of electrical cables.
Conductors being left exposed pose a danger to people crawling around in a loft with out proper light, we've all done it, along with the potential of fires.
Picture 2
This loft was originally fully insulated however the squirrels had another use for all that nice fluffy stuff.
Picture 3
Cables are not the only thing at risk, pipe insulation is also includedleaving pipes exposed to freezing.
Picture 4
Pipe insulation nibbles.
Picture 5
Insulation nibbles
Picture 6
This is where it starts
Picture 7
Nothing like a bit of wood for afters.
Picture 8
More cable nibbles.
Picture 9
Cable nibbles
Picture 10
Cable nibbles. The propertly ended up being rewired due to the amount of damage.
Picture 11
One of two nests found in the loft
Picture 12
The second nest.
Picture 13
Cable nibbles
Picture 14
Insulation removed to make their nests.
