Do you know that before you even see the signs of a leaking roof there could already be 1000's of dollars worth of damage to our home?

Get it fixed now

The reason a leaking roof needs to be fixed as soon as possible is so that it will cause no further damage to your home. Leaking roofs can be caused by a variety of reasons: improper roofing system installation, wind or storm damage, or neglecting to do routine maintenance. The life-span of an asphalt shingle roof is any where between 15 to 30 so it could just simply be that your roof is at the end of its life cycle.

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Even Small Leaks Need To Be Repaired ASAP

Most homeowners think a leaky roof is just a structural problem, but it can actually pose many more safety and even health risks. Constant water intrusion will eventually work down from the attic area to the very foundation of the house, causing plenty of costly damage on the way. Here are some of the ways a roof leak can damage your home.

Attic & Ceiling Tile Damage

The initial risks of a roof leak are of course damage to your home’s attic and property stored there. The next place and usually the one that gets noticed first is damage to the interior ceiling. Affected ceiling paint will darken and ceiling plaster may bubble and expand. The leaking continues water finds its way to your interior walls and causes to your dry wall and your homes frame.

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Mold and Mildew Damage

In the longer term, one of the most serious consequences of a leaking roof is mold and mildew growth. Mold will spread throughout the home’s structure, and once it reaches the HVAC system the spread is massively accelerated and quickly infests the rest of the house through the vents where it can invade carpets, furniture, clothing and even to your bed where you sleep (what a night mare).

Black mold is the most common type caused from a leaking roof. Black mold is rarely toxic, but even non-toxic black mold damages your wood framing, ceiling tiles, and wall and floor coverings. Mold is difficult and expensive to get rid of.

Health Risks Caused From Mold

Mold and mildew can lead to serious health issues, especially for those with high sensitivity, including nasal congestion, rhinitis, inflammations and asthma, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mold spores continue to be produced once it’s present and will lead to allergic reactions, asthmatic symptoms, and more serious health problems.

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Attic & Ceiling Tile Damage

The initial risks of a roof leak are of course damage to your home’s attic and property stored there. The next place and usually the one that gets noticed first is damage to the interior ceiling. Affected ceiling paint will darken and ceiling plaster may bubble and expand. The leaking continues water finds its way to your interior walls and causes to your dry wall and your homes frame.

Damage to Flooring and Carpet

A severely leaking roof can cause water to puddle on the floor. This may not seem like a huge risk, but if you have an active family, and especially if you have children who like to run, you need to get that water mopped up to prevent injuries. Carpet will also get soaked and need to be dried. This should be done within 24 hours of getting wet; otherwise you risk mold and fungus growth that present a health risk to you and your family. If the wet carpet is not dried within the first 24 hours, then it is is recommended to have professionals remove and replace it.

Higher Heating & Cooling Costs

High utility bills are another side effect of a leaking roof, as water intrusion is detrimental to the insulation in attic area. Your attic’s insulation and eventually the insulation within your interior walls becomes saturated and it takes a long time for it to dry out. If a roof leak repair is put off for a long time, chronic water intrusion will deplete the insulation significantly and your home will lose hot and cool air, resulting in higher utility bills.

Structural Integrity is Compromised

The most obvious consequence of a leaking roof is the damaged rafters, ceiling joists, wall framing and even fascia boards and exterior trim can be seriously damaged from water. Roofing leaks result in wood deterioration and weakened, rotten roof framing causes serious problems that require assistance from a professional contractor. You can also face expensive wood framing repairs if water leaks down into ceiling joists and walls.

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