Roof leaks are a problem that likely no homeowner wants to deal with, but fixing a roof leak as soon as possible is always recommended. Putting off repairs for a roof leak will only exacerbate the problem, as roof leaks are prone to getting worse over time. Discover four risks of postponing roof leak repairs.
1. Structural Damage
The primary concern when you have a roof leak is the damage that the leak can cause to your roof and to the rest of your home. A roof leak can cause beams, studs, and other parts of your home’s wooden frame to rot and sag until they eventually aren’t able to support the weight of the roof. Leaks can also cause water damage to your siding and ceilings and walls inside your home.
A leaky roof also poses a fire hazard for your home. Water from a roof leak can make its way inside your walls, where it may come in contact with electrical wiring or your fuse box, depending on the location of the leak. Water in contact with any part of your wiring can cause wire corrosion and unsafe electrical shorts.
2. Increased Risk of Mold Growth
Mold growth is a possibility in any part of your home that stays dark and has a constant supply of moisture. A roof leak can create the perfect conditions inside your roof for mold to flourish. Even a new roof leak can cause a sudden mold infestation in only a couple of days if water drips from your roof continuously.
Mold growth is detrimental for both the health of your home and the health of people within your household. When left unchecked, mold can grow deep into porous wood and cause the material to rot or sag. Mold also releases spores that your HVAC system can pick up and circulate through the home. Breathing mold spores can cause allergic reactions and respiratory inflammation.
Mold from a roof leak can exhibit either limited growth or systematic growth. Limited growth means that mold only grows in the area directly around the leak, while systematic growth means mold spreads throughout your roof and often to other parts of your home. Runaway systematic growth can quickly necessitate professional mold remediation for the entirety of your roof and attic.
3. Expensive Repairs
The longer your roof has a leak, the more serious the damage is likely to be. Water running through your roof will gradually widen whatever gap is present to cause the leak, so the leak will get worse over time. Shingles, flashing, and other roofing materials around the leak will often deteriorate or detach from the roof. Putting off a roof leak repair will only result in a more expensive repair as more problems pile up.
4. Reduced Energy Efficiency
Your attic insulation plays a large part in maintaining your home’s energy efficiency. Inadequate attic insulation can allow conditioned air to escape as it circulates through your home, driving up your energy costs with no benefit. Unfortunately, a roof leak can render your attic insulation ineffective and result in the same energy loss.
Common attic insulation materials like fiberglass and cellulose cannot insulate properly if they are wet. Furthermore, these materials will deteriorate when they get wet, and even after drying, they won’t be as effective at insulating as they were before. Any insulation batting under a roof leak will need replacing once the leak is repaired to maintain energy efficiency.
You can’t guarantee that you will never have to deal with a roof leak in your home, but taking action quickly can minimize the damage to your roof. If your roof has a leak or needs any other repairs, contact D.S. Bahr Construction, Inc., today.