What Happens When You Ignore a Roof Leak?

Asphalt shingles have widely been the most common and cheapest roofing solutions. Asphalt shingles are low maintenance and easy to install.

However, they tend to be less resistant to wind and heavy rain than other options such as metal, slate, or tile roofs.

The lifespan of asphalt shingles lasts on average 20 to 40 years, depending on the manufacturer and product you choose. Although, some warranties only guarantee between 15 to 25 years.

A roof isn’t going to last forever, and when your roof system gets compromised and springs a leak, you will have two options: You can ignore the leak, or you can have it fixed.

While it’s tempting to ignore the leak and hope it will get better on its own, the better option is to get it fixed immediately.

Another common mistake people make is they wait until it’s too late to correct the problem. Waiting for the moment until you have a large number of repairs will rarely save you money in the end.

Here are three problems that can happen if you decide to go the other route and ignore a leak in your roof.

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Read Also:

• Roof Tiles vs. Shingles: Which Roof Should You Choose for Your Home?
• Flood Proofing a House: 7 Ways to Flood Proof Your Home Today
• Covering Your Roof: 4 Affordable Types of Roofing Materials
• Cost to Fix Roof Leaks in 2020: What You Need to Know
• Tips to Finding Roof Repair Company in San Francisco
• How Do I Estimate Roofing Costs?
• 8 Signs of Water Leaks in Homes

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Repairs Get More Expensive

A shingle roof leak will not go away miraculously or fix itself. Water will cause havoc when it’s left sitting, and even smaller leaks can soak into insulation, ceiling, deck, and other areas.

Furthermore, the longer the water sits in those specific areas, the more damage it can cause, and the more expensive your repairs will become.

If leaks in your roof don’t get fixed, they eventually start to inflict interior damage, which results in a more costly fix.

Mold Growth

A small leak at times doesn’t feel like a big deal, but if you neglect a couple of water stains. However, water does a lot more than soak things.

Wherever there is water, there is a chance of mold growth. Whenever water leaks into the walls, insulation, and the ceiling are left unattended, it creates the perfect location for mold that can lead to a more severe problem.

It’s essential to keep in mind having mold in your house can make you sick. Especially, if you have allergies or asthma.

Whether you’re allergic or not, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, and nose, throat, and lungs. With this said, exposure to mold can lead to serious health problems for you and your family.

The Life Span of Your Roof Can Significantly Decrease

Nobody wants to replace a roof sooner than they have to. Therefore, if you have the chance to make it last longer, you should take advantage of it.

One of the best methods for ensuring your asphalt singles last longer is to fix the small leaks as they become noticeable.

If the leaks are ignored, whether they are small or large, they will damage your roof system and can lead to full roof replacement. Below are some things to consider when deciding if you need a roof replacement:

• Have you noticed your roof leaking?
• Have you noticed specific issues with your roof such as missing or curled shingles?
• Is your roof older than ten years?
• Have severe weather conditions hit your area lately like strong winds or hailstorms?

Animals and Pests

If the damage to your roofing is bad enough and the holes are large enough in your roofing system, you may start noticing large insects, rodents, or other animals that find their way into your home.

Depending on where animals can get in, you could see yourself being a host of an unexpected family of pests living within your roofing system.

Higher Energy Bills

The leaks that allow water to get into your home will also allow the cold air circulating out in the summer and hot air out in the winter.

If you let holes exist on the surface of your roof without fixing them, there’s a good chance you will see a significant increase in your power bill.

In Conclusion

In times like this, the best choice you can make is to call a professional roofing company to inspect your roof and fix any issues before they become a bigger problem.

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RBS Roof has been servicing Orlando since 2004. Our company will take care of any roof repair and will inspect the rest of your roof system as well to ensure your entire home is protected. We can help you with your roof replacements and help you to maintain the roof you already have to put that off as long as you can.

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