The discovery of a roof leak can be upsetting for the homeowner because the roof serves as a shield from the elements. You will need a professional to identify the cause of the leak and advice on the best roof treatment.
Procrastinating on leaking roofs can lead to structural damages to the entire roof. For example, rafters, soffits, and fascia made of wood absorb water and rot. Also, the ceilings and walls can get permanent stains reducing the home’s aesthetics.
Before looking at the structural damages to the roof, let’s first look at the signs that your roof is leaking.
Signs Of a Roof Leak
1. Stains On The Ceiling
The most common warning sign of a leaking roof is stains on the ceilings. The pigments are primarily visible on white ceilings, with most of them being brown or yellow. Other spots appear as faint rings at the edge of the ceiling.
Although the tiny spots indicate minimal leaks, they worsen if ignored. If you have such stains on your ceiling, you can click here to connect with a roofing expert. The professionals will identify the cause of the leaks and advice on the best treatment.
2. Exterior Wall Growth
If your exterior walls have mold, fungi, or moss spots, it is a perfect sign that your roof leaks because fungi and mold flourish in wet environments. With time, the inner wall absorbs the moisture, causing stains inside.
Mold and fungi cause permanent stains on clothes, curtains, and furniture. Although you can repaint the wall to hide the stains, it is advisable to find the cause of the leaks to deal with the problem permanently.
3. Dripping Ceiling
Drips from the ceiling are another obvious way to know that the roof is leaking. Although lost shingles are common for drips, condensation is another possible cause. Poor ventilation and improper flashing around the chimney are the primary causes of condensation.
Once you notice drips from the ceiling, put a bucket or bowl under the dripping area to collect the water. You should also remove any furniture and electronics around the dripping part and then contact a professional for roof treatment. A company like Brown Boys Roofing can help you diagnose the issue and have the leak fixed.
Since you can now identify roof leaks, do not panic when you see any signs. Getting an immediate roof treatment for small and enormous leaks saves you from structural damages.
Structural Damages A Roof Leak Causes
1. Damaged Ceilings
Strong winds and heavy rains loosen the shingles. Some fall and break, leaving spaces on the roof. Water sips into the roof through the openings and runs down to the ceiling. The ceiling material then absorbs the moisture causing yellow and brown stains.
Hence, leaving the ceiling wet and untreated leads to the growth of mold and fungi. These leave permanent stains that require a particular procedure to treat. Besides, the stains reduce the home’s aesthetics. If left for a long time, the moisture can cause rotting in the ceiling.
2. Damaged Insulation
Insulation on the roof is essential because it maintains the correct temperatures in the house. However, when water sips through the roof and settles on the insulating material, it gets damp, creating a breeding area for mold and fungi.
The insulating material becomes less effective when it gets covered in mold. Its R-value also reduces, and it can barely block ultraviolet rays. Lack of insulation leads to higher energy bills because the HVAC system will stay on to maintain the correct temperatures
As the homeowner, you should replace the entire insulating material to reduce the added expenses. Alternatively, you can repair the damaged parts of the insulation if the rest of the material is still solid.
3. Damage To The Roof Structure
The roof is made of wood rafters, soffits, and fascia, and other houses have wooden attic floors, roof decking, and wall studs. When water gets into a wooden roof, the wood absorbs water and swells. With time, the rafters and soffits begin to rot.
Rotting weakens the wood, resulting in a fall of the entire structure. Once you notice any leaks, contact a roofing professional to check if the whole wooden structure is decent. They treat the wood to stop it from absorbing water. Alternatively, the experts remove the rotted parts to prevent spreads.
4. Metal Water Damage
When the roof and attic pipes (metallic) get exposed to water, they rust. The rust spreads throughout the line, deforming them. If untreated, it can spread to any other parts of the roof that are in contact with the pipe.
Some metal rusts are strong enough to break a concrete foundation. Besides, the cracks on the roof can spread to the entire wall causing weakening. So, homeowners should seek fast assistance to any corrosion on the metals and cracked walls.
5. Attic Floor Damage
In some houses, water dripping in the attic is a sign of roof leaks. The dripping water makes a small pool on the attic’s floor, slowly sips the moisture. Wooden floors like those from plywood suffer severe moisture damage.
For example, a long exposure of the tiles to moisture results in swelling, leading to rots. With time, they loosen and become uneven. In addition, some tiles come off, reducing the aesthetics of the attic. Contact roof and floor experts to handle these damages.
Repair All The Structural Roof Damages
Some structural roof damages are tiny and unnoticeable. Although they might seem harmless at the time, they could spread to other parts quickly and cause more harm to the entire structure.
Homeowners should avoid DIYs on roof leaks and structural damages because they lack the right knowledge around these problems. Professional contractors have the expertise and experience, and they come with the required tools to solve the problem.
Final Words
A roof leak is a common problem that needs a fast roof repair. Although the leaks and roof cracks might seem tiny, they spread fast to other parts causing structural damages. If unrepaired, the damage will weaken the entire structure, making it expensive to repair.