There are several problems that we often see at our house related to sustainability. However, roof leakage should be taken as the highest priority. Because the leaky roof can severely damage your roof material as well as other household materials. That is why leaky roofs should be taken into consideration when you find out even the slightest need of roof repair. A number of reasons behind the roofing leaks, which are improper roof installation, wind or storm damage, and lack of maintenance. The normal roofing time span lies between 15 to 30 years depending on the material you used and how often you take care of your roof. When you know that there is a time to change the roof then simply replace it without waiting.
Most of the house owners do not take the small leaks as a problem. But it can lead to some serious problems which includes your safety and even health risks. Constant water leakage will cause you costly damage if the repairment remains undone for a long time. Here are some of the reasons that are probably been involved in making your home damage by the roof leakage.
Attic and Ceiling Damage
Attic is the first place where roof leakage causes the most damage. The area around the attic where usually items are stored also gets damaged by the leakage. If you do not have an attic in the house, then the damage will occur in a very big size and will directly damage the interior ceiling. The paint around the leaky area starts to darken and the plaster will start expanding. This leakage will not only damage the ceiling paint and plaster but also the nearby walls paint and plaster. Along with this also expect the damage on ceiling-mounted lights and fans.
Interior Mold and Mildew Issues
Mildew is a thin whitish coating which consists of fungal hyphae, grows on damp organic material. Mold and mildew is the result of leaky roof and is considered as one of the most serious consequences of a leaky roof. Mold can spread in the whole house structure easily along with providing severe damage to the HVAC system and then to the rest of the house through the vents where it can damage your furniture and clothes. There is a black mold also present in some areas which is in the result of chronic water intrusion. This black mold is rare and known to be the most toxic one, but even the nontoxic mold also damages the ceiling tiles, floor, and wall coverings. Molds are difficult to remove and costly as well.
Health Concerns from Mold
Both mold and mildew are hazardous and can lead to some serious health issues. The people who suffer the most from molds and mildew are those with high sensitivity, which includes rhinitis, nasal congestion, inflammations, and asthma. Molds can also cause allergies and people can have allergic reactions when exposed to the area where mold has occurred. These allergic reactions lead a person into severe health issues especially who are asthma patients. Always take precautionary measures when exposed to the mold present area.
Fire Hazards from Water Damage
If any of the house electric wires are present in your attic and ceiling, leaking roof could cause fire in this place. If you see any leakage, first you should turn off the electricity and call an electrician to see any bear wire or any wire that is exposed to the leakage because this can turn your house on fire if you do not take precautionary measures on time. Water damage is directly related to fire hazards because most of the houses have electricity wires in their attic and whenever your roof is exposed to the leakage then fire hazard chances are very high there.
Slipping and Falling Due to Roof Leakage
If you have a leaky roof this can cause water to puddle on the floor. Slipping due to the wet floor can give you a severe injury and if you have children age less than 12 who are always running around the house, you need to mop the floor whenever you see a wet floor due to roof leakage. After roof leakage the wet floor or puddles are normal, but you should not take long to repair the roof so that you stop further harm to your house and your family.
Higher Utility Bills and Wasted Energy
Higher utility bills are one of the biggest drawbacks of a leaky roof. Water invasion is deleterious to the insulation in the attic area. The fiberglass protection becomes saturated and after getting the protection layers saturated than it takes longer time to get dry. If you take time to repair the leaky roof, chronic water intrusion the protection barrier which results in loss of hot and cool air inside the house, which in result give you the burden of high electricity bills. This intrusion can further damage the roof by developing mold on the ceiling and on the walls so the repairment process should be done on time to save yourself from paying high bills and to save you from the mold removing process which is also costly on the homeowner’s pocket.
Compromised Structural Integrity
This is the most obvious damage caused by the roof leakage. Leaky roofs can severely damage the structural material of your house; this damage includes ceiling joints, wall framings, fascia boards, and exterior trim. This can also result in wood deterioration, and this will cause some serious destruction to the roof framing which can only be fixed by professional roofing contractors. You can also face the expensive wood framing cost if in case the water gets into the ceiling joints and on the walls. It is better to call a roofing professional on time, shortly after you see the leakage.
Interior Damage Inside the House
A leaky roof damages the interior of your house, it can be very frustrating to see your house furniture getting damaged by the leaky roof, especially if you have carpet inside the house, managing the carpeted house with a leaky roof is hard to manage. In case your material or interior is getting damaged by the water leakage then removing the furniture and repairing the roof is the only choice you have.
House Working Environment
If you are a person who works from home, plainly stated, no one likes to work in an environment where you have to bear wet floors and damaged interiors. The best you can do to fix the leaky roof to have a stress-free working environment.
Roof leaks are typically a sign of a much larger problem than you see. Both danger and structural erosion increased if remain unaddressed. In this case, regular inspections by the roofing professional are the best defense against a leaking roof. Always be active and regular to see the roof for leaks and other problems like damaged shingles. If you have a leaky roof, give us a call today at 734-526-4955. We can handle all your exterior and roofing needs!