As your roof ages and sustains various weather damage, certain areas can become susceptible to leaks. It is important as a homeowner, property manager, or business owner to keep an eye on your roof and address any leaks or damage, sooner than later, to avoid costly repairs and other unexpected dangers of a leaking roof you may not be aware of.
Roof leaks can happen for many reasons; age, severe weather conditions, improper installation, and lack of maintenance and upkeep. No matter the reason, a roof leak is a serious issue that must be addressed as soon as possible to avoid these unforeseen dangers of a leaking roof:
Black mold in a homeowners roof
Firstly one of the more serious dangers of a leaking roof: Mold. Mold spreads quickly through the structure of the home, into the HVAC system and subsequently through the home through the vents. Once mold has made it into the HVAC system of a home it can then get into the carpeting, your furniture, and even your clothes. Black mold is the most common mold caused from water intrusion, it is more than just an aesthetic problem; it can actually make you and your family very sick. According to HGTV the most common health concerns are respiratory related. Chronic coughing and sneezing, irritation to the eyes, mucus membranes of the nose and throat, rashes, chronic fatigue and persistent headaches can all be symptomatic of black mold exposure.
Fire Hazard
Is your electrical wiring present in your attic or through your ceiling? This could pose a fire hazard if your roof is leaking. Wires can short out due to water and cause a fire in your home. It is recommended you turn off the electricity to these areas and contact an electrician as soon as possible as well as a roofing contractor to address the root of the problem; the roof leak. Any water in your attic or ceiling poses a threat to the integrity of your home, especially if electrical wiring is exposed to the water.
Slipping and Falling
Another one of the dangers of a leaking roof is for commercial building owners and property managers, mostly. Water from roof leaks can pool on the floor where people could end up slipping. This can be a serious risk for a commercial building that sees a lot of traffic daily. As a homeowner, you or your loved ones may slip and fall when a roof begins leaking in your home and you don’t catch it in time. Not only will you be facing a bill for the roof leak, but unforeseen medical charges may become an issue as well.
Structural Roof Damage
The structural damage that can occur with even a small roof leak is a major concern for homeowners and property managers. Letting a little problem turn into a bigger problem can mean huge problems with your homes structural integrity. Water travels and can find its way under the roof decking. Over time the water will then intrude the roof decking. It can then seep through a wall and then run down the framing. The wood will get soaked and begin to rot and lose it’s strength. The roof will begin to sag and the water will also begin to weaken the foundation. You can also face expensive wood framing repairs if water leaks down into ceiling joists and walls. The ceiling itself can even cave in and cause a huge mess, potentially hurt someone in your home, and will in the long run cost a lot more to fix. Fixing the roof leak early and not letting it get to this stage will save you lots of money in the long run.
Energy Waste
Who knew that a roof leak could actually waste energy and in turn cost you more on your electricity bill? When your insulation becomes saturated from a leaky roof it takes a long time for it to dry out (and can cause mold issues as noted above). If roof leak repair is put off, chronic water intrusion will deplete the insulation significantly and your home will lose heat and cool air. When this happens, a higher utility bill is inevitable.
The Dangers of a Leaking Roof are Real
The time to fix your leaking roof is now. The dangers of a leaking roof are real and the worry is not only with your roof and structural integrity of your home, but also the potential health concerns for your family. Here at Florida Southern Roofing we recommend you address your roof leak sooner than later. It’s a good idea to keep up with roof maintenance and inspections to maintain the integrity of your roof and avoid the leaks all together. A proper maintenance plan will ensure that your roof is maintained yearly and leaks become a thing of the past.
In the meantime, use fans if necessary to dry everything that gets wet instead of allowing the water to sit and saturate for a prolonged period of time. The use of tarps and plastic on the exterior of your roof will help to prevent rain from leaking into the home, but this is only a temporary fix. Contact Florida Southern Roofing – your experienced and trusted Sarasota Roofing Contractor today to schedule a free roofing estimate, and get the job done quickly, affordable, and efficiently.