Most homeowners may think a leaky roof is just a small structural issue, but little do they understand that this can pose various health and safety risks. Even a little roof leakage can create more problems in your home and become a headache later on if not fixed. You may procrastinate repairing many house problems, but not a dripping roof.
Some aspects that cause leaky roofs are storm or wind damage, improper installation of the roof, and lack of routine maintenance. Roofs may only last 20 to 30 years, so if it hasn’t been replaced for that period and starts to reveal indications of leakages or drips, it may be the right time to replace them. Now let us understand the threats a leaky roof can bring to you and your house.
Five Potential Risks of Leaky Roofs
A dripping or leaking roof is one of the major causes of water damage, and everybody knows this might be worrying if it keeps going neglected. Here are five dangers of dripping roofs we have collected to motivate you to fix them straight away if you have one in your house.
1. Compromised structure
Even the strongest homes are not immune from the rot water damage can cause. A tiny unattended leakage in your roof may turn into something serious and put your home’s foundations at risk. Water drips can go to your foundation levels and cause rot that can damage its structure and make it unstable over time.
2. Mold and mildew
Mold can grow in your home if your roof leaks. Moreover, mold and mildew do not point to the direction the water has flowed either. Those who experience asthma, allergies, environmental sensitivities, and compromised body immune systems can be seriously ill from mold spores spotted in water-damaged houses.
If you see your home having molds everywhere in your house, it could be a sign of water damage. For your house and family’s safety, do not hesitate to employ mold removal experts like PuroClean to prevent it from developing even more.
3. Damaged ceilings and attics
Water from dripping roofs goes directly from the ceiling to the attic. An unaddressed leak in your roof can cause water damage to the contents of your attic and your ceiling. The affected portion of your painted ceiling may become darker in color, and ceiling plaster might expand or bubble.
This may also cause damage to the nearby walls and impact ceiling-mounted fans and lights. When faced with a leaky roof or any signs of water damage, it’s ideal to have a property damage restoration professional come by to prevent more damage.
4. Fire hazards
If you have cables or electrical wirings in your ceiling or attic where a dripping roof is most exposed, it might present fire dangers from the shorted wires. When handling this situation, it’s advisable to turn off the electricity in the damaged location and have an electrical contractor come over to examine the damage that needs to be repaired.
5. Slip Injury
Slippery floors are everyone’s nightmare, and you might be on your way with one if you have a dripping roof. Water drips from roofs to your home can cause puddles, causing people inside that home to slip up due to the slippery patches from roof leakages.