A properly functioning roof protects the people in your house and your possessions from various weather elements. It also helps protect the entire structure and the foundation from water damage. Unfortunately, despite the diverse important functions of a roof, most homeowners still do not give it the attention and care it deserves. For instance, most homeowners hesitate to call a roofing contractor for repairs when they notice a minor leak. Instead, they wait until they experience severe damage to take action. Here are reasons you should never ignore a leaking roof.
1. Mold Infestation
Some people make the mistake of ignoring a leak because it is small. Unfortunately, even a small leak can allow water from the rain or snow to sip in your home. That will, in turn, create damp areas in your house that promote mold growth. Over time, mold spores can get into the HVAC unit and spread all over the house through the vents. The presence of spores in your house is dangerous as it could cause serious health issues to those who live in your home.
2. Damage to Drywall
Water from the leaking roofs can also get into the drywall. However, the quality of the drywall is compromised if it is exposed to moisture for a long time, and it might cause lose its structural integrity. Also, keep in mind that when a small section of the drywall becomes soft and weak, it could increase cracks, which could cause the entire wall to get damaged. As a result, you will have to fix the leak and the drywall, which will be more expensive than calling a roofing contractor to mend the leak immediately.
3. Collapsing of the Roof
Leaks on your roof will lead to water gaining access to the sheathing layer of the roof. Since this layer is mainly made of wood, the presence of water or moisture could lead to the wood rotting. Unfortunately, wood rot is not easy to detect. Yet, it can cause catastrophic roof issues and cause your entire roof structure to collapse. As a result, you might have to replace the entire roofing system. But you can avoid these problems by working with a competent contractor to fix the leak before the problem escalates.
A leak on the roof can lead to a mold infestation, damage to the drywall, or make the roof collapse. That is why you should never ignore the issue or take a long time before hiring a roof repair contractor to seal the leak and fix the roof damage.
For more information, contact a local company like Holthaus Companies Inc.
When you have something you like inside a jar, you probably put a lid on it — right? In a way, you can think of your house in the same manner. You like and value the items inside, along with the inside of the house itself. So, it only makes sense that you would protect the interior of your home with a lid. That lid is your roof.
Keep that perspective in mind as you read this blog. Learning more about roofing will feel more interesting if you remember what a roof does: it protects the inside of the home and the people who live in it.