As water gets into the home through a leak in the roof, it takes quite a bit of water to form an actual drip or water stain on the ceiling. All of the excess water is being absorbed into the insulation, as well as wooden supports under the roof, in the attic, and those in the ceiling or walls of the home.
Overtime, from periods of wetness and dryness this can cause the wood to rot and deteriorate. As the wood weakens it is no longer able to support the weight of the roof or ceiling and could cause it to collapse into the home, which is a serious safety hazard. Furthermore, the dry, rotting wood will attract pests like carpenter ants and termites.
Next, your insulation will lose its effectiveness in providing proper protection to keep hot and cold air out of the home. As a result, you will notice a significant increase in your energy bills, as your home’s heating and cooling systems have to work harder to maintain the desired indoor air temperatures.
In addition, the dampness of insulation and wood creates a perfect environment for mildew and mold. Both mold and mildew make spores, which are small airborne particles that can be easily spread throughout the home, should they advance to the point where they are growing on interior walls, as they can be circulated through air vents anytime your furnace or air conditioner runs.
Aside from these types of problems, the amount of water damage from a leaky roof can spread and become even bigger the longer the leak is allowed to remain unrepaired. Furthermore, small leaks can also increase in size allowing even more water access to the interior of the home.
Hopefully, you can see ignoring a leaky roof and expecting it to somehow “magically” repair itself is never a good idea. It is much better to contact a professional roofing contractor the moment you spot signs of a leaky roof, such as:
- Water dripping from the ceiling, upper corners of the walls, or register vents.
- Discoloured spots on the ceiling or upper walls.
- Black mold or mildew growing on the ceiling and upper walls.
- A strong smell of mold and mildew near the attic access door.
- The roof exterior appears to be sagging in one or more locations.
Finding the cause of roof leaks is rather difficult for most people because they do not understand the intricacies of roofing systems, like an experienced roofing contractor. If you have a leaky roof or other roofing concerns, please feel free to contact Logik Roofing by calling 905.424.7469 today! Our roofing contractors proudly service the entire GTA, including Ajax, Brampton, Oshawa, Withby, Mississauga, and even Cottage Country!