5 Shocking and Unexpected Dangers of a Bad Roof
A little leak could lead to a big problem. Call your Fort Worth roofing company before it gets any worse.
Sometimes, we can take our roof for granted. It’s just always there, protecting our homes from the weather and pests of the outdoors. It’s hard to imagine life without it. So when we first notice a tiny leak or faint watermarks in the ceiling, it might not seem like a big deal. It’s just something that will need to be fixed later. Life gets busy, and later gets pushed further and further back. Meanwhile, that little roofing problem? It’s growing.
A little leak or a slight sag could be more dangerous than you realize, and it can lead to issues that could affect your entire home. In fact, if problems with your roof go untreated, it might eventually mean having to leave your home. Here are some of the most shocking dangers that could come from a damaged roof.
1. Asbestos
Asbestos is a term used for six naturally occurring minerals composed of microscopic “fibrils.” Because asbestos is resistant to fire, chemical and thermal degradation, asbestos cement was a popular roofing material in the 20th century. The cement was used for shingles in the United States going as far back as the 1920s. However, today asbestos is known for something other than its resistance to chemicals: it is the “silent killer” of thousands of construction workers. It can take years and often decades for asbestos symptoms to manifest, and when they do, they can lead to serious illness like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
If asbestos cement was used in the shingles of your roof, your family could be breathing it in right now.
Unless the asbestos material is damaged, the use of asbestos cement in roofs is not necessarily dangerous. It’s only in the instance of damage that asbestos releases fibrils into the air and thus becomes a health hazard. However, this means that if asbestos is one of the materials that makes up your roof, you need to take extra care to ensure that it’s not damaged. It may be safer, in the long run, to replace the roof with a less harmful material.
2. Electrical Shortages
Have you ever looked up at your ceiling and noticed a patch of discoloration or a bulge? That’s likely water damage caused by a leak in the ceiling. The leak itself may be small, but the effects of water damage can be severe, especially if the water comes into contact with any electrical wiring, such as the room’s lighting or a ceiling fan.
Electrical shortage in your home caused by water damage could leave your home without power until the problem is resolved. It’s also a dangerous fire hazard. It’s better to stop before things get to that point. If you have water damage, turn off all electricity in the area and call your electrician to examine the wiring. After that, call your local roofing company to fix or replace the leaky roof that caused the damage in the first place.
3. Slips and Falls
A leak in the roof may cause a puddle to form on the floor of your home. Depending on the flooring material and the color of the floor, the puddle might not be immediately obvious, especially if you’re not expecting it in your home. The prospect of slipping and falling on the floor isn’t pleasant for anyone, but this can be especially dangerous if you have active children running through the house or anyone elderly living in the home. It can also be particularly dangerous for residents with impaired vision.
If you notice a leak, call a roofing company immediately. Until the roof is fixed, place a bucket or something similar under the leak to collect water so that it won’t pool on the floor, and your family members will know to steer clear of it.
4. Mold and Mildew
This is another reason to take leaky roofs seriously. Water damage from a leaky roof could seep into the insulation of the home or the HVAC system, where the damp environment could cause mold and mildew to grow. Once mold grows, it spreads and filters through the vents of your home, where the whole family could breathe it in without realizing it. It can also attack the wood framing or ceiling tiles of your home. The most common mold you’ll find as a result of leaky roofs is black mold.
Mold and mildew can pose serious health concerns, especially if you have an allergy or asthma. Mold can cause lung infections or obstructive lung disease. It is especially dangerous for young children, as it has been linked to acute idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage in infants. If your mold issue becomes bad enough, you may be forced to evacuate the home while it is fumigated. That’s why it is important to stop a mold issue as soon as you notice it. Talk to a mold and mildew removal expert about the best way to remove the problem, and then talk to your Fort Worth roofing company about how to prevent it in the future.
5. Deterioration of the Structural Integrity
A bad roof can also affect the whole structural integrity of the home. Leaks can weaken the wood beams that hold up the home. Water damage, if untreated, could cause the ceiling to give way. Weakened structural integrity also makes the house more susceptible to storm damage like strong winds or fallen trees.
One prevalent problem that could compromise the structure of your home is roof rot. Roof root is caused by excessive humidity and moisture in the attic without proper ventilation. Dry rot can affect the roof deck as well as the insulation of the home. Roof rot is often the underlying problem when your roof begins to leak. In the worst case scenario, roof rot could even cause the roof to collapse. That’s why a roof ventilation system is as important as ventilation for the rest of your home.
Is the roof of your home healthy? Or are there small, almost unnoticeable problems that you’ve put off fixing? To prevent damaged roofs that may cause more insidious damage to your home, you should have a roof inspection at least once a year. Fortunately, if you need work done on your roof, First Texas Roofing provides affordably priced quality roof repair designed to LAST. Even if your roof needs to be replaced completely, First Texas Roofing will ensure excellent service and durable product. We have nearly a decade of experience to vouch for us.
Don’t let your small roofing problems cause huge dangers to yourself and your family. Contact First Texas Roofing today for a free, no-obligation consultation and estimate.