Water can cause havoc on a home; even before a homeowner has a chance to notice initial signs of its presence. A drop of water, repeated over a few thousand times can cause severe home structural damage as well as mold. Any small leak, especially originating from a roof, should be taken seriously. Most homeowners think a slow roof leak is just a roofing issue, but if a leak is consistently present for an extended amount of time it can cause damage from the roof or attic space all the way to the foundation of the home. Causing structural issues as well as a fire threat from wires and health issues from potential mold. In order to prevent severe water damage, slow roof leaks should be dealt with immediately.
Causes of Roof Leaks
There can be a number of reasons a homeowner’s roof may be damaged and causing a slow roof leak. Severe weather with strong winds, hail, thunderstorms, snow, or ice dams are the usual suspects. As well as poorly or improperly installed roofs or the aging and wearing of roofing materials. For these reasons, it is extremely important for homeowners to regularly inspect their roofs or contact a qualified roofing contractor in Cincinnati like EMA Construction for inspection. Roof inspections should take place at least once or twice a year, and typically after any major storms.
Signs of Slow Roof Leaks
The most common signs of slow roof leaks are:
Water leaks inside the home during a heavy room or when snow is melting
- Discolored ceiling or wall areas
- Discoloring or falling of ceiling paint
- Peeling paint around skylights or windows
- Plaster bubbling or cracking
- Crumbling drywall
- Wood in the attic decaying
- Damaged or stained soffits and fascia
- Shingle granules in the gutters
- Shingles that are curling, cupping, or missing
- A persistent musty smell in the attic
- Presence of mold on ceiling, attic, etc.
The leak may not always be located exactly where the sign of the leak is. Water can move in and around your home easily, and the source of the leak could be located elsewhere. If you are having difficulty locating the source of the leak, contact a reliable roofing contractor. You want to stop the leak before it is able to create any further damage. Also read our blog post on Common Roof Leaking Locations here.
Mold from Roof Leaks
Since slow roof leaks are typically present in a home for longer periods of times without being noticed, they are prone to resulting in mold growth. Mold growth can happen in just a couple of days in the right conditions. Sometimes the mold growth from a leaking roof is small enough and in a good enough ventilated area to be easily dealt with once the roof leak has been repaired. This is not always the case though and a professional may need to be called in to remove the mold properly. Mold can cause serious health risk to all living in the home, including:
- Asthma
- Sore eyes
- Itchy skin
- Runny or blocked nose
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Sore throat
If the above symptoms are consistent when you are physically in your home or heighten when you are home, it is more than likely due to the presence of mold.
Conclusion
To prevent severe water damage due to a leak, address the leak as soon as possible. Locating and repairing the leak is the immediate action homeowners should take upon seeing a sign of any leak. Contacting a roofing contractor is the best way to ensure fixing a slow roof leak. EMA Construction’s qualified roofers are able to advise and repair you on your leak before it causes major structural damage to your home. Click here to contact us today about any of your roofing concerns.