Your roof is designed to keep pests, intruders, and weather from getting into your home. A damaged roof can compromise your safety and allow different threats to get into your space. Ignoring small problems in your roof can cause further damage and lead to heavy expenses. A roof repair company like Alexander Roofing can help you repair your roof damage promptly and prevent major problems in the future. If these are the roofers near your home, you can contact them and get a quote. They offer residential and commercial roofing services and have been in the business for 30 years.
Why Should You Repair Roof Leaks Immediately?
Small issues on your roof, if ignored for a long, can escalate into large problems. They can become difficult to repair and cost you a lot. Below are reasons why you should not ignore small issues in your roof and get them repaired immediately:
Structural Deterioration
Continuous roof leaks can damage ceiling joints, wall framing, and rafters. Constant exposure to moisture and water leads to wood deterioration. This can further weaken the roof frame and lead to the collapse of the structural support. Not only will the moisture damage the top part of the house, but it will also affect the roof’s foundation as water from the roof will always fall in a downward direction.
Mold Formation
Leakages from your roof will speed up wood deterioration, causing mold growth. This mold can spread to the HVAC system and spread into your room. It can react with the different substances in your room’s air and form toxins. For instance, toxic black mold can produce spores that lead to asthmatic problems and other serious respiratory issues.
Fire Hazards
The moisture from leaking roofs can affect your insulation and electric wiring in the ceiling. Defective wiring is a fire hazard. You must fix a leaking roof as soon as possible to prevent fires and short circuits.
Avoid Expensive Repairs
The sooner you repair a leaking roof, the lesser the roof repair will cost you. All roof damage gets progressively worse. For example, ignoring a lost shingle can lead to a leak over time. Leakages in your roof can lead to serious water damage in the house.
Energy Loss
Ignoring leaking roofs and other issues can impact your energy bills. Apart from the deterioration of the roofing materials, a leaky roof can also affect your attic’s insulation. It takes a long time for saturated insulation material to dry out, weakening its resistance to temperature change. As a result, you will lose a lot of heat, leading to high power consumption and electric bills.
Insurance Won’t Cover Damage Caused by Negligence
Insurance policies typically cover problems caused by unexpected events. It may cover roof damage caused due to bad weather or a fire, for instance. However, your policy will not cover roof damage that occurred because you ignored a small issue and did not fix it in time. The insurance adjuster will be able to tell if you waited too long to get the roof repaired. You will have to bear the expenses of roof damage caused due to negligence.
Negative Affects on your Curb Appeal
You must put some effort into making your roof look good if you plan to sell your home in the next few years. The condition of your roof is one of the first things that a potential buyer may consider. It is also one of the most visible features of your home, so you will not be able to hide the damage. An ignored roof can bring down your curb appeal considerably and also make it difficult to find prospective buyers. On the other hand, a roof that requires very little maintenance may even enable you to increase your asking price.
How to Identify You Need Roof Repair
As critical as timely roof repair is, it is important to watch out for signs that indicate damage to your roof. Below are some obvious signs of roof leaks outside and inside your home:
- Dark spots on the walls or ceilings
- Spots in the attic where outside light shines on the roof
- Sagging appearance
- Broken or missing shingles
- Slow draining or clogged gutters
- Loose roofing material on the ground around your home
- Wear and tear around roof vents and chimneys
Roof leaks are not uncommon. Ignoring roof leaks and other problems will not only cost you a lot in the long run but will also affect your curb appeal and bring down your property value. Ensure you take immediate action when you notice problems with your roof.
