Fixing roof leaks right away is important for both your roof and your home.

A leaking roof may not seem like a huge deal, but if it’s not fixed promptly, it can lead to many dangers for your roof and your home. In our latest blog series, we went over the top 10 most common causes of a leaky roof, but regardless of what is causing your roof to leak, you need to make it a point to get it repaired as soon as you can. Otherwise, you could end up dealing with a much bigger problem down the road, and that will also likely mean a bigger repair bill. But, in order to truly understand just how important prompt leak repair is, you need to know what the consequences of not fixing a leak are. Here are the biggest dangers of leaving a roof leak unattended:

Mold and Mildew

If a roof leak has been left unattended for too long, it can lead to mold and/or mildew growth. Not only can mold grow on the walls and ceiling near the source of the leak, but it can spread throughout your home via the HVAC system, allowing it to get into your furniture, carpets and even your wardrobe. Mold can exacerbate respiratory issues for people in your family with sensitivities, causing asthmatic symptoms, allergic reactions and even some more serious health problems in some people. Unfortunately, mold remediation is both time-consuming and costly, and you’ll save a lot more money if you get the leak fixed long before it leads to mold.

Costly Energy Bills

Have you noticed an uptick in your monthly energy bills? If so, you may be surprised to learn that a roof leak may actually be to blame. When your roof leaks into your attic, the moisture saturates the insulation, and if your attic is insulated with fiberglass, it renders it completely ineffective. Without insulation that works properly, your home won’t be able to keep the cold or warm air inside effectively, and your HVAC system will have to work harder to keep your home comfortable.

Slips and Falls

If your roof leak is bad enough that water is puddling on the floor from the roof, it could lead to slip and fall incidents in your home, putting your family at risk. While a puddle on your floor may not seem like a huge problem, most of the time, people don’t expect there to be water on the floor in their home, so they don’t watch out for it. Until you are able to get your leak fixed, make sure that you are diligent about mopping up the floor, and it never hurts to place a bucket under the leak to prevent puddling.

Electrical Fires

Believe it or not, a roof leak can actually increase your risk for an electrical fire in your home. If the roof leak is severe enough to reach the electrical wiring located in your ceiling or attic, and shorted wires are present, a roof leak could cause an electrical fire. If you have a known roof leak, and you aren’t able to get it repaired right away, it’s highly advisable to turn off the electricity to that area of your home in order to prevent an electrical fire.

Attic or Ceiling Damage

The most severe damage caused by a roof leak often occurs in the attic, or ceiling — for homes that don’t have an attic or for roof leaks that are particularly large. Look for a darkening of the paint on the attic walls or ceiling, or ceiling plaster that has started to bubble or expand. There may also be damage to fans or ceiling-mounted light fixtures. If water starts collecting behind the ceiling’s drywall, over time, it can cause it to bulge, sag, crumble and eventually cause it to cave in completely.

Structural Damage

Last but certainly not least, a chronic roof leak that has been left for far too long can eventually cause structural damage to your home in the form of damaged ceiling joists, rafters, fascia boards and wall framing. Even a minor leak can weaken and deteriorate the wooden roof frame if it’s left for too long. This will eventually cause the wood frame to rot, which leads to bowed walls, a sagging roof and possibly even a spongy or waterlogged foundation, thus, compromising the structural integrity of your home.

What should you do if you think you have a roof leak?

Even if you have only a minor roof leak, it’s incredibly important to ensure that you get it fixed promptly because, as you can see, a leaking roof can lead to much bigger problems if it’s left for too long. Don’t attempt to fix the leak yourself, as you could accidentally end up stepping in the wrong place and causing yet another leak. However, if you can identify the source of the leak yourself, you’ll save your roofer some time and possibly save yourself some money.

Turn to Endeavor Exteriors for professional roof leak repair in Denver.

Don’t let a roof leak put your roof or your home at risk. Instead, at the very first sign of a roof leak, turn to the experienced roofers at Endeavor Exteriors. We have more than 50 years of experience in the exteriors industry, and we work on both residential and commercial roofs. In addition to offering you the roofing services you need, we can also help you finance your roofing project. We’ve got you covered every step of the way. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.