The Dangers of Neglecting a Leaky Roof

There are plenty of reasons why you should make sure you’re keeping up with your routine roof inspections, with the ability to catch problems before they escalate being chief among them. And while there are different problems an inspection may uncover, a leak in your roof could be up there among the most problematic. Of course, you may not even need an inspection to identify a leak, as more significant leaks may present themselves and cause all sorts of problems for your home. That’s why partnering with roofing professionals to address a leak promptly is so important. Let our team at Woodland HomeWorks further explain the dangers of neglecting a leaky roof.

What Happens If a Leaky Roof Goes Unaddressed?

Perhaps you feel like a minor leak in your roof is something you can wait to fix at a later date. However, that’s not the approach you’ll want to have. A small leak that may appear harmless can quickly turn into a major problem for your roof as well as your home as a whole. When you don’t address a leaky roof with prompt repair services from a trusted team of experts, you’re leaving your home vulnerable to: 

Structural Damage

When your roof is leaking, water can seep into your home’s foundation. That water intrusion can lead to water damage, which can have a significant impact on your home’s structural integrity. Not only that, but there are some long-term effects that can weaken the structure of your home. Water leaks can lead to rotting wood and rusted metal, and the way that your home’s structure can weaken as a result could even lead to disaster.

The Growth of Mold & Mildew

Moisture from a leaky roof can create the right environment for the growth of mold and mildew, which can cause a plethora of problems. Mold and mildew growth on your home’s exterior is unsightly, for one, plus there’s a chance it can surface within the structure of your home. When that happens, there are health risks associated with it. For example, respiratory issues and allergies can become more problematic.

Diminished Energy Efficiency

Water damage from a leaky roof can also cause issues for your home’s insulation, which can lead to a need for your HVAC system to exert more energy in order to better maintain a consistent temperature inside your home. Not only can that affect the comfort of you and your loved ones, but the harder your HVAC has to work, the more energy it’s consuming. That can be a problem for the environment, as well as your wallet considering the increase you may see in heating and cooling costs.

Damage to Your Home’s Interior

As much as a leaky roof can create moisture and water damage problems for your home’s exterior as well as its structural integrity, there can also be a negative impact on your home’s interior. Leaks can stain your ceilings and walls, plus they can damage your wallpaper and potentially even ruin your flooring and furniture.

Pest Infestations

When your roof leaks, that means there’s a hole or flaw somewhere in the system, right? That means there’s a potential entry point for rodents, insects, and birds, which can lead to infestations that cause even more problems for your home’s foundation. Not to mention, with the moisture that exists with a roof leak, your home may be at risk of developing a termite problem.

A Team You Can Trust to Handle Your Leaky Roof & Any Other Repair Needs

When you notice you have a leak in the roof of your home in the Greater Boston area, or if you haven’t scheduled a roof inspection in some time, Woodland HomeWorks is the team to call. When you reach out to us, you’ll find that our team of trusted roofing experts will be able to handle the task at hand, whether that’s a repair of your leaky roof or any other number of possible repair needs. Contact us today to start on the road toward getting your roof back into its optimal condition!