22 Oct The Hidden Dangers of a Failing Roof
A failing roof can be susceptible to many different types of damages. Holes, fractures, and depressions are all common symptoms of a failing roof. While these symptoms are unsightly, they present numerous kinds of danger to both your family and to the integrity of your home.
Leaks
The same fractures and holes that allow air to escape from your home will also allow rain to seep into the frame of your roof and into your attic. Leaks are a very serious danger to the integrity of your home. The water that leaks in through your roof can weaken walls, floors, and make the damage to your roof worse. A small leak is generally difficult to detect since a small drop of water here, and there won’t really raise any alarms. Once enough water leaks through your failing roof, the cracks and holes will become larger, allowing more water to leak inside. Drops of water will fall from your ceiling and create puddles on the floor below. Once your leak reaches this severity, the unseen water damage to your roof and attic will already be extensive.
Mold
Mold is an unfortunate reality of damaged and failing roofs. Mold is an organism that grows best in dark, moist places. When your roof becomes damaged and allows water to leak inside of your home, many areas will become moist. These areas tend to be void of light since they exist inside of your walls or inside of your attic. This creates the perfect conditions for mold to begin growing. While not all forms of mold are toxic, some forms of mold are incredibly toxic. It’s a gamble with your health to allow these moldy areas to continue to exist in your home. If your roof is failing and allowing water to leak inside, chances are very likely that you’ve also developed mold growth near and around the damp areas. If this is the case, be sure to contact a mold remediation expert to help you out.
Increased Energy Costs
When your roof becomes damaged or develops holes, it can cause a myriad of issues for you and for your home. One of the most expensive consequences of a roof filled with holes and fractures is the sudden increase in your monthly energy bill. Replacing your old broken roof and adding a metal ridge roof vent could save you thousands of dollars in repairs to the rest of your home. When a roof develops holes and fractures, it has a tendency to allow your air-conditioned air to escape during the summer while simultaneously allowing hot air to enter. This causes your air conditioning system to work harder to keep your home at the temperature to which you set it and costing you more money. Alternatively, a failing roof will allow warm air to escape during the winter and will cause your home to be filled with cool drafts, creating an increase in your heating costs.
Pests
Not only is your roof designed to keep out inclement weather, but it is also designed to keep out pests. Insects and rodents love making their nests inside of homes. Your home is dry, warm, and full of food. All of these things attract pests frequently. When your roof is full of holes and fractures, the pests have an easy way into your home to begin building nests. There are signs to be aware of that will alert you to the presence of unwanted pests who might be living in your attic.
Remember that with a failing roof, these dangers only get worse the longer you wait to have your roof repaired or replaced. If you wait too long, there could be irreparable damage done to the framework of your home.