The Hazards of an Unchecked Roof Leak

We’ve all been there: You get a small leak in your roof that turns into a steady drip. You don’t have the money to deal with the problem right away, so you just put a bucket under the drip and empty the bucket when it gets full. You may have solved your money problem in the short term, but you will have set yourself up for more problems in the long term, including more money problems.

Leaving a roof leak of any size unchecked can lead to big problems for your property if you don’t talk to a Phoenix roof repair contractor. Here are just a few of the hazards of an unchecked roof leak:

Spread of Mold and Mildew

Continued water exposure creates the perfect environment for the growth of mold and mildew. Not only can mold and mildew continue to spread quickly throughout your attic and then your home, leaving a trail of damage in its wake, but the mold and mildew can also pose a threat to your family’s safety. Certain kinds of mold can be deadly, such as black mold, and others can cause respiratory issues and illness.

By fixing a leak as soon as you know it is present, you will stop the water exposure and allow the area to dry up so that the mold and mildew won’t continue to spread. Depending on how long the leak has been present, you may have significant mold and mildew growth that will be difficult and costly to remove.

Damage to the Attic and Ceiling

Water is a corrosive element. If given enough time, it can carve out land to create canyons. Imagine what it could do to your home if it had enough time!

Damage will begin in your attic and ceiling if you have a leak. You may not even know that you have a leak if you aren’t taking the time to look in your attic. Therefore, the damage can spread extensively. You could have rotted decking, moldy insulation, and devastated sheetrock. These will be expensive issues to fix.

Weakened Structure

Joists and beams hold up your roof and your ceiling, and these can be exposed to water from a leak. Over time, they can become weaker from rotting, softening, or warping wood. Even if you replaced the damaged parts of the roof, the underlying structure could still fail.

Given enough time, the beams that hold up your home’s walls can also become weakened with water damage. Allowing leaks to go unchecked threatens the health of your home and the safety of your family.

Risk of Slip and Fall

Any water falling through the ceiling can be a hazard to your family or your guests. The water can make the floor slick, which can cause people to slip and fall, perhaps seriously injuring themselves. If a guest in your home is injured, you could be held liable for those injuries.

You may think that the risk is minimized because you know the location of the leak and have it contained. However, you never know when the damaged area can widen and the leak can travel. You could have water spots on the floor and not even know it until someone slips and is injured. Having a roofing contractor in Phoenix take a look at it is your best option to avoid potential injury.

Risk of Fire

You may not think that a water-soaked area can be a fire hazard, but a leak can increase the risk of a fire in your home. If you have electric wiring running through your attic – which most people do – the water can get into those sockets and connections and cause an electrical spark or arc. If there are dry materials nearby, that spark or arc can cause them to catch fire. Even if no fire occurs, the water can cause your electrical wiring or lighting to short-circuit.

Higher Electric Costs

Your roof plays an important but often overlooked role in preserving the energy efficiency of your home. If it is damaged, it will not be as energy-efficient as it should be. The longer you leave a leak unrepaired, the more damage can spread through your roof and ceiling. Your electric bills will climb higher and higher.

Often, one of the signs that let’s people know they have a leak is a higher energy bill. If you notice that you’ve been spending more on your electric costs, get a roofer to check out your roof to see if you have a link.

A roof leak can cause a lot of damage and pose a number of safety risks. You cannot allow it to remain because of budget or scheduling concerns. If you don’t take action, the damage will spread, and you will end up spending a lot more money and taking a lot more time out of your schedule to correct it. Contact a Phoenix roofer as soon as you notice the signs of a leak – or better yet, schedule an annual inspection so that a roofer can recognize the signs of an impending leak and help you prevent damage to your home.

Arizona Native Roofing can help you keep your roof healthy so that your home and your family are protected. We offer Phoenix roof repair and re-roofing. Our experienced roofers work on shingle and tile roofing, and they provide tailored recommendations to keep your roof as healthy as possible for as long as possible. If you need a new roof, our roofers can also perform a new roof installation. Call us in Phoenix today to schedule an estimate or inspection with an experienced roofing contractor near Peoria.

Written By:

Jason Swim – Owner