The dangers of a leaky roof on your Nashville home

2/9/2016 (Permalink)

There are several dangers that come along with a leaky roof. The water entering the home not only causes damage to interior and structure, but can also become a health and fire hazard as well. Although it can be expensive and time consuming to repair or replace a roof, it’s important to take immediate action when a leak is noticed. Angie's List gives us some insight on the dangers that occur from a leak in your Nashville home.

1.    Attic and ceiling damage

The first place that a roof leak hits is the attic or internal ceiling of the home, causing ceiling plaster to expand, bubble and darken. The water can also damage ceiling fans and light fixtures.

2.    Interior mold

One of the more serious issues that occur from a roof leak is mold growth. The consequences of letting the water settle without repairing the leak immediately can be harmful to your health. Mold damage can spread throughout the home’s structure, HVAC system and into personal belongings

3.    Fire hazard from water damage

Water isn’t aware of the material that it’s landing on when a leak occurs. If and when water gets exposed to shorted wires (such as some wires that could be placed across your attic), this can pose as a serious fire hazard.

4.    High utility bills/wasted energy

As water leaks in through the roof, it causes damage to the insulation in the attic. Over time, this damage can cause your home to lose a large amount of hot and cold air, resulting in higher bills and the use of more energy.

5.    Compromised structure

Water can be a powerful force of nature, especially when exposed to the same area over time. When water causes a roof to leak, it can also damage other areas of the home’s structure such as rafters, ceiling joists, wall framing and exterior trim.