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How Small Roof Leaks Can Lead To Big Issues

roof leak damage

The small drip of water into the attic or trickle of water into the side wall can lead to big issues down the road for your home or commercial building. Many Cincinnati area homeowners and business owners don’t understand how a little leak in the roof can become a major problem why you cannot afford to ignore even the smallest of roof leaks. So let’s learn how small roof leaks can lead to big issues.

The Structural Impact Of Roof Leaks

roof structure damageA leaking roof at a minimum means that water is getting through the structural membrane of your home. We assume it will form a puddle on the attic floor, eventually warping the floor boards. Realistically, it is more likely going to follow the roof decking to the wall and into the wall itself. This will cause the walls to become damp. They may warp, or they may begin to rot. A leak in the shingles and roof deck itself can cause the roof to sag, and eventually, it will cause a roof collapse. Therefore, in every case, a minor leak can lead to structural damage over time.

The longer you wait to repair the leak, the more expensive the eventual repair bill. For example, the longer a roof leak goes on, the sooner the roof system wears out. Leaving little leaks unaddressed means you’ll have to replace the entire roof years sooner than originally planned.

The Environmental Impact of Roof Leaks

A water leak into your home will fuel the growth of mold and mildew. Wet fiberglass insulation in the attic will foster mold growth, and that can enter your home if it reaches your air ducts. Water dripping into your walls causes mold to grow there, and it can eventually growth through the drywall or into the exposed wood members. This certainly affects indoor air quality, triggering asthma and allergies.

Wet insulation also loses part of its insulation value, causing your home to need more energy to heat and cool. If the problem is bad enough, your insulation could freeze in the winter, making it impossible to get warm. Oh, and when all that frozen moisture thaws, expect to see water dripping everywhere.

A minor leak that grows over time as shingles are lost and wood rots away will let more air conditioned air escape outside, too, while giving unwanted pests a way into your home.

The Potential Hazards Of Roof Leaks

Water in your walls won’t just erode the insulation and structural elements of your home – it can create a fire hazard, too. When water from a leaking roof reaches exposed electrical wiring, it could create an open circuit and sparks may literally fly. If water seeps around a junction box, the same thing can happen. If your lights or electronics are on the fritz every time it rains, it may be due to a roof leak. Unfortunately, that same water leak could create an electrically conductive area around any exposed wiring or electrical connections. That would give you a shock if you came into contact with it. This risk is why you should turn off the power when you call in an electrician to check your wiring as well as have someone working on a leaking room.

On top of this is the classic case of the slip and fall. If you have water puddles forming around your home, you could slip and fall.

The Risk of Disasters You Won’t Want to Deal With

bad Chimney flashingRoof leaks are not always due to missing shingles or a fallen branch that punched a hole in the roof. Sometimes the root cause is due to issues with the gutters or downspouts. In other cases, it is due to damaged or failing flashing letting water drip down next to the fireplace. A leak next to the gutter allows water to drain into the siding of your home, while a steady stream can erode your foundation, as well. Or the leak will grow worse with time. Then the holes in the gutter or gaps in the flashing lead to a literal flood. Depending on the situation, water could get trapped in sagging parts of the roof or soaked up in water logged insulation in beams until everything collapses. Leaks around a skylight could simply cause the skylight to fall.

So, What Should You Do With A Leaking Roof?

The solution to all of these problems is to have small leaks addressed as soon as they are discovered and suspected leaks located and resolved before it puts your home or business at risk – don’t wait for it to cause even bigger issues. If you need help with roof leaks in the Cincinnati Ohio area, contact us for a FREE ROOF LEAK REPAIR ESTIMATE.

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