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Calgary Head Office

616, 35 Ave N.E. Calgary, AB T2E 2L1

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Fort Sands is Alberta's Building Envelope and Revitalization Experts. We can provide a quick onsite visit and accurate quote.

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Main Line

1-403-250-7999

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Calgary Head Office

616, 35 Ave N.E. Calgary, AB T2E 2L1

Request a Quote

Fort Sands is Alberta's Building Envelope and Revitalization Experts. We can provide a quick onsite visit and accurate quote.

* Please Fill Required Fields *
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Main Line

1-403-250-7999

Fort Sands Can Protect Your Building Before The Next Northern Flicker Woodpecker Pecks

By fortsands In Education

09

Feb
2023

As certified ADEX GRAPHEXcoat installers, Fort Sands can protect your building before the next woodpecker pecks. Woodpeckers are a common sight in Alberta, and unfortunately, so is the damage they cause to buildings. There are nine different woodpecker species in Alberta; the red-shafted and yellow-shafted subspecies of the northern flicker are found throughout Alberta, and migrate all over North America. They are beautiful and fascinating (for a thorough description, refer to this Audubon page: https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/northern-flicker). While woodpeckers may be a beloved part of nature, they can also cause significant damage to buildings. 

Download our 2-Page Brochure on Fort Sands approach to proactively protecting your building

Click for Fort Sands Adex GRAPHEXcoat Brochure

With certified installers, an ADEX 10-year warranty, and our $5M Liability Insurance & $5M bond available, Fort Sands can assess and price any size of project.

If you’re interested in getting a free assessment, click here for a proposal and we’ll arrange a site visit:

Click for info.fortsands.com/proposal 

Woodpeckers use their strong beaks to drill holes, both for foraging for insects and for creating nesting sites. “Drumming” can often be heard in residential neighbourhoods that the woodpeckers migrate through, the sound made when woodpeckers peck.

The Northern Flicker woodpecker causes $millions of damage annually in Alberta. 

One of the most common types of damage caused by woodpeckers in condominium multi-family residential buildings in Alberta is to stucco siding. The birds will peck at the stucco repeatedly, creating large holes that can weaken the structural integrity of the building. Not only that, but the holes also provide entry points for water, which can lead to rot and mold.

Preventing woodpecker damage can be challenging. 

Woodpeckers are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, which makes it illegal to kill or harm them without a special permit. Alberta Fish and Wildlife officials remind the public — from the beginning of spring until the end of summer, violators can face punishments of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to $1 million. For more information, refer here:  https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/protected-migratory-birds-damaging-wood-sided-homes-in-calgary-1.2908116 

This means that non-lethal methods of preventing and controlling woodpecker damage must be used. One method is to cover surfaces with a material that the woodpeckers can’t peck through, such as ADEX GRAPHEXcoat protectorant.

ADEX GRAPHEXcoat EIFS Resurfacing Projects

GRAPHEXcoat is 9X stronger than a Woodpecker’s peck. 

Fort Sands is a certified installer for Adex, which comes with a 10-year warranty.

  • Made with Graphene, one of the strongest substances known to science
  • Can withstand pecks up to 75 newtons; woodpeckers average 8 newtons per peck
  • Can be applied to a new installation or during existing repairs 
  • GRAPHEXcoat is the most durable EIFS coating & the most cost-effective to apply 
  • 10-Year Warranty

Be Proactive To Prevent Damage and Reduce Costs

There is no question that woodpeckers can cause significant damage to buildings and condominiums, but there are steps that can be taken to prevent and control this damage. By taking the appropriate measures, homeowners and property managers can protect their buildings and reduce overall costs of repair while also preserving the Northern Flicker woodpeckers as a valued part of the natural environment