You might have water actively dripping from a ceiling or wall inside your home. Or, you notice a water spot in your ceiling that wasn’t there before. What does that mean for you?
Water coming into your home is obvious – there is a water leak.
If you see water spots or water stains in your home, you have a water leak. The cause depends on where the leak is coming from. If the leak is showing on the uppermost floor, it’s likely caused by a leaking roof! Yet, if you see the water stains anywhere else in the home, it could be internal pipes or plumbing.
Additionally, if you notice the water penetration after a rain, wind, or snow storm, there is a good chance that it’s a roof leak. Keep in mind the age of your roof.
If your roof is older than 10 years, it’s very likely that the roof is the cause of your leak. Overtime, roofing materials weaken from environmental factors.
If this is the first time the water stain appears, you may not urgently act on it. However, we recommend that you schedule for a roofing company in Chesterfield to inspect the damage. The inspector can look at where the water is coming inside from in and out of the home. Once they locate the compromised area of your roof, they can determine and strategize how to prevent further leaking.
What if you don’t act on it right away? We’ll discuss what can happen if you ignore the warning signs of a roof leak.
Effects of Ignoring A Roof Leak
Repairs will get more expensive & extensive
Small holes get bigger.
More shingles detach. Animals infiltrate your home. The dampness from the original leak, and likely more water entering over time, can produce mold and mildew. This growth immediately poses a health risk to you and your family!
The water will compromise the roof decking and your ceiling which produces rotten wood that will need to be replaced. It can also turn your insulation bad which would then need to be restored.
All of this causes more damage to the interior of your home! The issues can add up quickly which will make the repair bill exponentially climb.
Fire hazard
While you may just see the wet area of the ceiling, the water could be coming into contact with other home elements that are hidden in your ceiling and walls. Exposed wires getting wet is a genuine concern! Should you not stop water from entering your home, it could damage your home’s electrical wiring.
What repairs will fix my leaking roof?
Not all roof leaks require a roof replacement! That’s often why people don’t address the issue immediately is fear of needing to invest a lot of money. It could be a small issue that can be fixed for a couple hundred dollars.
We find common areas that tend to be the source of a leak. This could be determined based on where the water is coming in and a visual inspection of the roofing system. Common areas for roof leaks include:
Vent pipe boots
Chimney flashing
Skylights
Broken shingles
Cracked flashing
Clogged gutters
That being said, sometimes the roof is too far gone and it needs to be replaced. This can all be determined by a licensed roofing company to inspect the status of your roof in order to consult with you the work that needs to be completed. If you need a roofing company in Chesterfield or in our other service areas we can help diagnose the roof for repairs
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