Leaky roofs are not just unsightly and uncomfortable; they can also be dangerous. That’s why it’s so important to address roofing problems as you notice them. Allowing roof problems to get out of hand can be both risky and very expensive.
In this post, we’ll look at 5 of the most dangerous aspects of a leaking roof. As you’ll see, these dangers can be detrimental to both your financial well-being and to your health. Let’s get started.
1 – Structural Damage
Water weakens the structural integrity of wood, and once water has entered through a leaky roof, that wetness can spread to almost all the wood in a building. Not even the foundation is safe from wood water damage.
Once structural damage has begun, your home is more vulnerable to windstorms, thunderstorms, floods, and snow. A heavy snowfall puts a great deal of weight on your roof, and if the rafters are damaged by water, they may have difficulty bearing the load.
2 – Fire Hazards
Dripping water doesn’t seem like it would be a fire hazard until you think about a home’s electrical wires. Any exposed or faulty wiring can short out if it comes into contact with water. Shorts like this can send electricity through the insulation in attics and walls, and all that electricity can start fires.
3 – Mold and Mildew
Mold thrives in damp, warm environments, and an attic moistened by a leaky roof is the perfect place for mold to grow.
Mold and mildew growing on damp roof rafters and insulation cultivate spores, and these spores spread throughout the house through the HVAC system. Not everyone is sensitive to molds, but the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that there was sufficient evidence to link mold exposure with upper respiratory tract problems, coughing, and wheezing in people who are otherwise healthy. For people with immune system problems, the health conditions can be much worse: memory loss, lethargy, asthma, and other respiratory problems.
Don’t risk it. If you suspect that your roof is leaking, fix it as soon as possible because mold can be difficult to eradicate once it takes hold in your home.
4 – Wet Insulation
If the insulation in your attic becomes saturated over time due to a leaky roof, it will not be able to perform as it’s designed to. Cellulose and fiberglass insulation products don’t dry out quickly, and if the leak is chronic, your home will lose lots of warm or cool air. The result of all of this is much higher utility bills during both summer and winter.
Additionally, wet insulation can harbor mold and mildew, which we mentioned previously. Removing wet insulation is a tedious and difficult task. It’s much better to fix your roof leak before your insulation gets soaked.
5 – Attic and Ceiling Damage
When your roof begins to leak, the first place that will be affected is your attic. If you have items stored there, they may be damaged. If you don’t have an attic, the first damage will be to your interior ceiling. Depending on the size of the leak, you may start to notice that the ceiling paint darkens and the ceiling plaster or drywall will bubble and expand. If you have overhead lighting, the leak may cause damage to the electrical wiring.
If the leak isn’t addressed quickly, your ceilings could be at risk of falling down. Likewise, your ceiling-mounted lights and fans could be damaged.
As you can see, leaking roofs have the potential to cause all kinds of dangers, from mold and mildew to problems with your foundation. If you suspect that your roof is leaking, it’s best to get help right away. Feel free to contact us at Z Abedin construction LLC to learn more about what can be done to fix a leaking roof.
