Water is essential to life but not friendly to your roof. When trillions of raindrops get together during a storm, they can damage your roof over time. The same goes for snow, sleet, and other types of precipitation. Quality roofing materials, combined with proper installation and maintenance by a reputable contractor, are a must to avoid damage that can break down the roof’s structural integrity. If moisture is allowed to leak through, the building will begin taking damage in different ways. You need to call a contractor for repairs before things get worse.
Why should I be worried about this issue?
When your roof starts to leak, it may go unnoticed for a long time. The insulation in the roof usually absorbs the moisture before it seeps into the building’s interior. The moisture saturates the insulation prior to making its presence known on the ceilings and walls.
By the time this happens, the roof insulation is already compromised. Leaks can have serious effects on the roof and the rest of its components. Here are five dangers posed by undetected roof moisture.
Mold and mildew
When mold and mildew start festering on your roof’s shingles, you will begin to smell a bad odor. Mold and mildew are forms of fungus that infiltrate underlying building materials like drywall and wood. Aside from giving off a bad smell, they also cause allergic reactions. The symptoms of these allergies include watery eyes, itchy skin, and respiratory distress.
Damage to joists and rafters
If moisture seeps into your rooftop's joists and rafters, these roofing materials will crack and swell during the cold winter season. By springtime, your building's roof may slightly split from its underlying frame. If your roofing materials are separated from each other, snow and rain can easily enter the facility, causing more damage to the wooden frames, drywall, and other internal materials.
Softening and weakening roofing materials
Roofing materials that are saturated with moisture become soft and brittle, making it easier for high winds, heavy rains, snow, or hale to wreak havoc on the rest of your roof. A trustworthy roofer like D&D Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc. knows that top-quality underlying materials and shingles will stay put despite intense winds and storms, thereby protecting your building better and for a longer time.
Structural complications
If melting snow and rain keep leaking through your roof, water will eventually seep into wall spaces and the attic, resulting in internal structural complications. If you don’t catch the seepage early on, you may end up spending a lot of money to replace your entire roof instead of just replacing one roofing material component.
Insect and animal infestation
Insects, birds, and other animals are attracted to environments that are moist, and a wet rooftop with tiny holes in it will entice rats, pigeons, and termites to come in. Aside from the significant damage that moisture can inflict on your property, the vermin in your roof may help destroy the structure.
It's a good idea to consult your roofing contractor about a maintenance plan to determine possible sources of leaks before they turn into major problems. Have your roofer inspect your facility on a regular basis to prevent premature degradation of the roofing materials and extend the lifespan of your roof.
D&D Roofing and Sheet Metal, Inc., Inc. is a premier roofing contractor that specializes in roofing maintenance and installation. Our expert crew will assist you every step of the way. If you have leaks or gaps, missing tiles, or want to spruce up your roof, get in touch with us today and take advantage of our free estimate.