A roof installation is an expensive proposition for any homeowner. For this reason, our Houston residential roofing experts at Ideal Roofing want to warn you about the dangers of moisture and how it can affect this critical part of your home. We’ll also go over steps you can take to prevent moisture damage so that you can avoid a costly roof repair or replacement.
1) Signs of Roof Moisture Damage
Damp Drywall
Do you see any dark areas in your ceiling or walls? When you touch them, are they damp? Especially if these areas are high up on a wall or in the ceiling of an upper floor in your home, they can indicate moisture in the attic. This can mean a leak in your roof or that improper ventilation is resulting in excess humidity in your attic.
Rotting Wood
Wood has many benefits as a building material, which is why it is so common in homes. Among its disadvantages, however, is susceptibility to water damage. Damp wood is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, and it will eventually start rotting.
Rusting Metal
Rust is the telltale sign of the negative impact of water on a metal roof. It can also be seen in the metal components of a roofing system utilizing a different underlying material. If rust isn’t spotted early, it can result in an expensive roof repair or replacement.
2) Consequences of Moisture Damage
Higher Indoor Humidity
Your air conditioning already has to work hard enough in the summer to sap the humidity out of the air in order to maintain a comfortable home. The presence of excess moisture will only add to this humidity and increase your cooling costs.
Health Risks
The mold and mildew that can grow in a damp roof or attic may lead to health issues for you or your family. Mold spores come in many varieties. If you are healthy, they may not affect you, but they can cause problems for those with allergies, asthma or other pre-existing conditions.
Expensive Roof Repair or Replacement
Your roofing system has many components to it. These include the underlayment, flashing, shingles, eaves, soffit and ridge vents, and the material underneath it all. They all work together to protect your home. Damage from excess moisture can compromise one or more of these components, which only speeds up the degradation of the rest of them. What may only be an affordable roof repair today may, over a couple of years, become an expensive new roof installation.
3) Preventing Roof Moisture Damage
Good Ventilation
The importance of good ventilation to residential and commercial roofing cannot be overestimated. Any humid air will naturally rise to the highest point in your home. This will cause it to accumulate in your attic. If you’ve ever gone up to the attic in the summer, you know how sweltering it typically is.
Proper ventilation will allow hot, humid air to escape while also bringing cooler air in. Cooler air comes in through soffit vents, and hot air goes out through the ridge vents at the top of your roof. They need to be unobstructed to work synergistically to prevent the buildup of damaging temperatures and humidity. Compressed air can be used to safely and effectively blast away any debris clogging soffit vents. If going up on top of your home isn’t within your comfort level, you may want to leave this job to the Houston residential roofing experts at Ideal Roofing.
Clean Gutters
Your home’s gutters are a critical component for keeping water properly flowing away from your home. Clogged or damaged gutters will allow water to build up, which can result in it seeping through the roof or down the exterior walls of your home. Ensuring that any nearby trees are trimmed back so that they do not hang over your house will prevent leaves from accumulating in the gutters. It will also prevent small animals from getting onto your roof and trying to make a home for themselves.
Regular Maintenance
An experienced roofer can identify any potential problems early on and remedy them before they can lead to an expensive roof repair. This can include something as simple as spotting and replacing worn or cracked shingles that can allow water to penetrate. Our team at Ideal Roofing can spot obstructed soffit or ridge vents as well as any issues with eaves or fascia. When you hire us to maintain your home’s roofing system, you can be confident we’ll do everything we can to catch and remedy problems early on to help you avoid a costly new roof installation.
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