Your roof is your home’s first line of defense from the forces of nature. That’s why it’s important to take measures to keep it in great shape. Most people think that a leaky roof means an entire roof replacement, but that’s not always the case. With regular inspections, you can determine if you have a leaky roof and catch problems before they get out of control. Fixing Minor leaks can help prevent them from becoming major home disasters. A leaky roof can pose risks to, not only your health, but the structure of your home, as well. With a little due diligence, you can protect your home that should be protecting you.
Stains On the Ceiling and Interior Walls
When water starts leaking through the roof, it’s not always obvious. Very often it gets absorbed into the ceiling below and goes unnoticed until it becomes an even bigger secondary problem. Any stains or mold growth on the ceiling or the upper interior walls of the home need to be addressed right away. Mold is a fungus that can cause illness and respiratory problems if left untreated. It can cause asthma attacks, or irritate allergies in those exposed to it. If a leaky roof is causing mold growth, repairing the roof is essential to ensuring the mold problem doesn’t get worse.
Visible Holes in the Roof’s Decking
Depending on the extent of the damage, you may have holes in the roof. These holes are visible if you know what to look for. Go into your attic on a bright sunny day and see if there is any sunlight peeks in through the roof’s decking. It’s best to work with the overhead light off for visibility. Use a flashlight for safety and take care while in a dim attic. A solid roof keeps out everything, including light. So, if you are able to see light coming in, you can bet other things are getting through, as well. Taking care of these issues as soon as they arise can prevent other unnecessary home repairs.
Damaged or Missing Shingles
Since your roof is exposed to the elements, it experiences a lot of wear and tear. Over time, the shingles break down and don’t provide the protection they are designed to. Hail tears holes in them, sun damage breaks them down, and wind will rip them off completely. A simple visual inspection of your shingles gives a lot of information. Are there any patches missing? Are they curling, cracked, or damaged? These are signs that they may not be providing the protection you need.
Mold on Exterior Walls
It’s not uncommon for mildew to grow on exterior walls, especially when they are in low light areas. They tend to collect moisture, but don’t get enough sun exposure to dry out. But when the exterior walls grow mold and mildew in sunlit areas, you have to ask yourself where the excess moisture is coming from. A leaky roof or faulty guttering is likely to blame. Clogged or icy gutters leaking against the exterior walls of your home are a breeding ground for fungi. Fixing these issues will help. No matter what is causing the mildew growth, it is important to get rid of it right away. Mildew growth can eat away at paint and wood and eventually cause structural damage to the home.
Water Leaking in Your Home
Probably the most obvious sign of a leaky roof—an actual leak. During a storm, if water is leaking into your home, you’ve definitely got a problem. If you suspect leaks, the best place to start checking is the attic. Look for wet decking, or listen for the sound of dripping water. Of course, if the leak is significant enough that it is making its way into your home, you’ve got a big problem. However, regular inspection of your roof can catch minor problems before they become major ones.
How To Respond
Finding leaks in your roof is cause for immediate action. It is not a cause for alarm, but it’s also not a problem to ignore. A leaky roof will only result in larger problems and more expensive repairs. The experts at Citadel Roof & Building Maintenance are experts in leak investigation and roof repair. They can take care of any minor repairs or even perform an entire roof replacement, when necessary. If your gutters are part of the problem, they are skilled in gutter maintenance, repair, and replacement. Your best course of action to combat a leaky roof is to trust your repair to a professional.
