People put off household repairs for many reasons and in some cases, procrastinating on certain things such as repainting the living room or getting new carpet doesn’t have many major consequences when put off. However, other repairs like busted plumbing and structural damage (including roof leaks) should always be addressed immediately!
Unlike what you may see on TV or in the movies, homemade patches or using buckets to catch dripping water when the roof leaks won’t buy you much time to get your roof repaired before the damage worsens. Go ahead, pull out those pots and buckets to help prevent immediate damage to an area if it helps but be sure to call a roof contractor immediately to fix the problem properly. The longer you wait, the worse it will get.
The initial hole that let the water in is only part of the problem, once inside the real problems begin.
Much like damage from busted water pipes, any water that is able to penetrate your house and flow freely will damage everything in it’s path until it’s stopped. Even the smallest roof leaks can allow water to slowly make it’s way through the entire structure, damaging everything from the ceilings and walls down to the foundation of your home!
What kind of damage occurs when a roof leak is ignored?
Roof, Attic, & Ceiling Damage
The first things that are damaged from roof leaks are the areas directly around the entry point. The roof and attic (if you have one) are usually the first to get hit followed by the ceiling. Damaged ceilings are usually easy to spot as they will darken and the plaster may form bubbles. Once it’s soaked through the ceiling it gets into the walls damaging paint and even damage to the structure and items such as ceiling fans and lights. For each area that it reaches, the cost to repair increases.
Mold & Mildew
Especially in the warmer months, after water gets into your house and sits for weeks or months, one of the most serious consequences of a roof leak is mold and mildew. Mold and mildew not only grow where the water hits, it also spreads though the home as it gets into the HVAC system and vents. In the vents mold spores are blown through the home getting on everything from rugs and furniture to clothes and even your lungs!
Aside from the physical damage to your home, mold and mildew present serious health risks(not to mention the smell!). Especially for people with medical issues such as asthma, mold spores continue to reproduce once it’s present and can get into the lungs aggravating existing medical conditions and even causing new ones like allergies and asthmatic symptoms in those without asthma.
Fire Hazard
Sounds a little crazy saying a water leak can be a fire hazard but modern homes have all kinds of wiring snaking their way through the walls and ceiling. As water finds it’s way through the house, it will come across those wires and when they meet, pose a fire risk from short-outs. Turning off the electricity in affected rooms will mitigate these risks until an electrician can come out and examine them properly.
Increased Energy Bills
Insulation is the stuff that is put throughout your home to make it more energy efficient. From the attic to the walls, insulation is everywhere. When the roof leaks and water gets into the insulation it’s gets saturated rather quickly and can take a very long time to dry out. Saturated insulation reduces it’s effectiveness to the point where it is simply ineffective. This results in higher utility bills as people crank up the heating or air conditioning to compensate for the loss in heat or cold air.
Structural Damage
Perhaps the most costly damage from a leaking roof is damage to the very structure of the home. From the frame to the foundation water can damage these to the point where repairs can be very, very expensive. Chronic roof leaks lead to wood deterioration in the rafters, wall framing, and even fascia boards and exterior trim to the point a professional contractor will have to come out to fix it all.
Structural damage is inevitable from a sustained, long neglected roof leak, risking damage not only to your property but to the people in the house as well! The last thing you want is to come home to a collapsed roof that damages your new flat screen TV but even worse if it happens while you are watching it!
You may not be able to prevent every circumstance that causes leaks but you can be sure to address them as soon as possible when they occur. Have your roof inspected professionally at least once a year and walk around your home yourself in between inspections to look for any signs of water damage and call a local roof contractor for an immediate inspection if you find anything. Roof inspections rarely cost anything but putting it off will almost always cause more problems and cost you more money.
In Metro Atlanta, Atlanta Roofing Specialists offers a free roof estimate should you find any damage to your roof or any leaks, call 770-419-2222 today!