How dangerous is a leaking ceiling in Ocean County?
A leaking ceiling may not put you in a life or death situation, in most cases a leaky ceiling is more of a pain in the side rather than a large dange. There can be consequences however which can be costly both financially and for the health of those who live inside the home if the leak is now repaired in a timely manner. The most common problems that result from a leaking roof are mold and water damage. Water damage is a serious topic because it can harm support joists, walls supports, molding, framing and drywall. Water damage in severe cases can cause sections of a roof to collapse over time if not taken care of. Usually a roof collapsing from water damage only happens in abandoned homes since any homeowner would see the signs before it got that bad. If your roof has begun to leak overnight you shouldn't have to worry about mold or water damages. A leaky roof can develop by improper installation, damage, lack of maintenance or simply because it is old and needs to be replaced.
The main dangers of a leaky roof are when mold begins to grow inside the home and HVAC system. Mold can be harmful to anyone within the home and cause illnesses, rashes and irritated eyes/throat. Mold will be the biggest danger for those who have respiratory problems such as asthma or autoimmune diseases. Once mold gets into the air of the home it can spread across anything from bed sheets, to the carpet and kitchen countertop. The best way to prevent mold from growing inside the home is to repair any leaking roof as soon as you can. The other real danger a leaking roof can have on a home is when it damages the structural stability of the property. Wet OSB boards and support beams will be much weaker compared to dry boards. If your roof has multiple leaks across the shingles and a tree branch falls onto the home it will be weaker compared to a roof with no leaks that is structurally sound. This means that the leaky can be more dangerous and easily damaged by falling branches and hail.
Another hazard a leaky roof can cause is potential fire damages due to exposed wires or wires getting shorted out from the leaking water. Wiring can become quite dangerous if it has constant water dripping onto the connections, this can cause them to short and spark. If wiring begins to spark in the attic the insulation can catch fire and be a real danger to the home. While most home fires are not caused by this it is still something to consider when talking about the dangers of a leaking ceiling.
For homes that don't have an attic you will notice leaks much faster since the drywall is holding the majority of the water leaking. The easiest sign you will notice at the home is when you begin to see a brown spot on the ceiling begin to grow. This stain means that there is water building up on the sheet rock, you will need to poke a hole in the ceiling with a screwdriver which will allow the water to drain. Find the middle of the brown spot and stick the screwdriver through the drywall (be sure to place a bucket under you because it will most likely drip water quickly).
Overall a leaky ceiling is not a serious danger as long as it is caught quickly. Replacing or repairing damaged framing and wood due to water damage and rot can become expensive so be sure not to let the damages get to that point by hiring a professional roof inspection at least once every few years. Contact our roofing company in Ocean County for a roof inspection or to discuss your leaky roof and the required measures we need to take to protect the home from the elements and mold. All of our roofing contractors in Ocean County are experts in their profession and can help diagnose any leak problems which may arise.
The main dangers of a leaky roof are when mold begins to grow inside the home and HVAC system. Mold can be harmful to anyone within the home and cause illnesses, rashes and irritated eyes/throat. Mold will be the biggest danger for those who have respiratory problems such as asthma or autoimmune diseases. Once mold gets into the air of the home it can spread across anything from bed sheets, to the carpet and kitchen countertop. The best way to prevent mold from growing inside the home is to repair any leaking roof as soon as you can. The other real danger a leaking roof can have on a home is when it damages the structural stability of the property. Wet OSB boards and support beams will be much weaker compared to dry boards. If your roof has multiple leaks across the shingles and a tree branch falls onto the home it will be weaker compared to a roof with no leaks that is structurally sound. This means that the leaky can be more dangerous and easily damaged by falling branches and hail.
Another hazard a leaky roof can cause is potential fire damages due to exposed wires or wires getting shorted out from the leaking water. Wiring can become quite dangerous if it has constant water dripping onto the connections, this can cause them to short and spark. If wiring begins to spark in the attic the insulation can catch fire and be a real danger to the home. While most home fires are not caused by this it is still something to consider when talking about the dangers of a leaking ceiling.
For homes that don't have an attic you will notice leaks much faster since the drywall is holding the majority of the water leaking. The easiest sign you will notice at the home is when you begin to see a brown spot on the ceiling begin to grow. This stain means that there is water building up on the sheet rock, you will need to poke a hole in the ceiling with a screwdriver which will allow the water to drain. Find the middle of the brown spot and stick the screwdriver through the drywall (be sure to place a bucket under you because it will most likely drip water quickly).
Overall a leaky ceiling is not a serious danger as long as it is caught quickly. Replacing or repairing damaged framing and wood due to water damage and rot can become expensive so be sure not to let the damages get to that point by hiring a professional roof inspection at least once every few years. Contact our roofing company in Ocean County for a roof inspection or to discuss your leaky roof and the required measures we need to take to protect the home from the elements and mold. All of our roofing contractors in Ocean County are experts in their profession and can help diagnose any leak problems which may arise.