For aging or poorly insulated roofs, water leaks are a big concern. More than just an annoying inconvenience, water leaks can cause extensive damage to your home or business. That is why it is important to fix the problem quickly when you see any of the above signs of a leak or damage. What starts off as a simple clean up job can escalate into structural damage if not addressed. Below, we will outline the five main reasons you should act quickly when you see water damage.

1. Ceiling and Attic Damage

If you have an attic in your home, it will be the first site of water damage. Unfortunately, though, this is an area of your home you probably don’t visit often. This means water could be collecting and causing damage for weeks or months before you notice. If you don’t have an attic, you will notice water leaks much quicker as they become visible on your ceilings. In either case, the water is creating problems for your insulation, drywall, and wooden boards. 

2. Mold and Mildew Growth

If a water leak is not addressed or goes unnoticed in an attic space, it will likely cause mold and mildew to grow. Both of these fungus types can thrive under a leak in a warm, dark area of your home. Mold is the more threatening of the two as it can cause both structural problems to your home and health issues for your family. It will be green or black in color and grow on the bottom surface of whatever is damp from the leak. Mildew on the other hand can’t cause as many structural issues, but it can still cause health problems. It will be white, gray, or yellow in color and have a powdery texture. Both of these are difficult to get rid of once they start to grow. That is why you should act quickly and call your experienced Atlanta GA roofers the moment you notice a mildewy smell or see either visibly growing. 

3. Health Problems

Mildew and mold cause more than just structural damage and destruction of any items stored near the leak. They can also cause serious health issues for your family or pets. Inhaled mildew spores make people cough or have trouble breathing. This can be especially dangerous if you have a family member with respiratory issues like asthma or emphysema. Mold also causes these breathing issues. However, worse than mildew, mold can create reactions like heart issues, fatigue, and migraines. Both of these fungus are especially dangerous if you have young children, elderly, or immune-compromised people living in your home. 

4. Fire Risk

In your attic or ceiling, your electrical wiring is stored to light your home and run all of your electronics. But when water begins to leak on this wiring, it becomes a huge fire risk. Although you might not be thinking about a house fire when looking at a leaky roof, this is a consideration you can’t ignore. The water dripping steadily or collecting on your electrical wiring could cause it to spark. This in turn could create a fire that damages your home. To prevent this tragedy, get your leak checked and roof repaired by your trusted Atlanta GA specialists at Perimeter Roofing at the first sign of damage. 

5. Structural Damage

If water leaks are not repaired, they will eventually cause structural damage to your home or business. They can even escalate until they impact the structural integrity of your framing, rafters, and foundation. A constant stream of water, even in small drips, will lead to wood rot and deterioration of your drywall. These are very expensive repairs. Instead, get your roof repaired at the first sign of a leak.