Damage to the attic area and items stored there are the initial dangers of a leaking roof. The interior ceiling can also be compromized. Affected ceiling paint will darken and ceiling plaster may bubble and expand. The leaking water also will damage paint and plaster on nearby walls. You can also expect damage on ceiling-mounted lights and fans.
Leaks from outside the house or moisture trapped inside can cause stains. For water stains coming from your roof, you’ll need to identify the nature of the disrepair. There can be other sources of water seepage from your roof other than a leak. Knowing this information will help us, as your roofing contractor, fix the problem in the most efficient manner possible.
Black mold is the most common type resulting from chronic water intrusion. Toxic black mold growth is rare, but even non-toxic black mold attacks wood framing, ceiling tiles, and wall and floor coverings. Mold is difficult to get rid of, and it is rather costly.
If your exterior or interior paint is peeling or blistering, you may be suffering from poor roof ventilation. Poor ventilation may cause moisture to get trapped in your house, which may cause exterior paint to peel and blister. Remember that the air in your attic should flow freely to reduce humidity. There should be a vent in areas like the bathroom or kitchen.
Another issue with poor ventilation and moisture in your layers of roofing materials is the decay of sheathing — also called decking — which is the layer of plywood that forms the foundation of your roof. If you notice a sagging ceiling, broken gutters, leaks or missing patches of shingles, your sheathing may be damaged.
It may look like dirt, but dark stains on your shingles may be moss, lichen, or blue-green algae. This may not require a new roof, but if and when you do replace your shingles, ask us for our StainGuard protection, which are available on our architectural asphalt shingles.
When shingles reach the end of their useful life, you may notice they fall off or become cracked, brittle or curled, which means it may be time for a new roof.
High utility bills are another side effect of a damaged roof, as water intrusion is detrimental to the insulation in attic area. 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.
The most obvious consequence of a damaged roof is the damaged rafters, ceiling joists, wall framing and even fascia boards and exterior trim can become victims of water intrusion. Chronic roof leaks lead to wood deterioration and weakened, rotten roof framing causes serious problems that require assistance from Emmaty Exteriors roofing specialist. You can also face expensive wood framing repairs if water leaks down into ceiling joists and walls.