Your home’s roof is one of the key barriers helping to keep your home protected from the elements. Indianapolis is a city in which it will typically snow in the winter and rain in the summer. Your roof might also contend with ice buildup, which may exacerbate any drainage issues that the structure might have. Regardless, the roof will interact with a lot of moisture, and if it’s not waterproof, that moisture might make its way into your house.
Water Will Follow the Path of Least Resistance
One of the key reasons why you need a waterproof roof is that water will get into most areas of your home quickly. This is because it will flow wherever gravity takes it until it reaches a point where it can’t go anywhere. In a home, water will typically flow from the attic all the way to the foundation.
Examples of Moisture Damage
Let’s say that water is able to get to the foundation. In such a scenario, you may notice cracks in the foundation, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars to fix. Hairline cracks are pretty normal, but larger cracks are not. In the worst case scenario, major cracks may make your home’s structure unstable.
Water can also cause damage to insulation, wires and drywall, and in many cases, you might not even notice a problem before it is too late. Signs of water inside your house include stains on walls or ceilings, a musty odor and electrical shorts.
It’s possible that drywall will become so wet that you can stick your finger through it without issue. At that point, the insulation and anything else behind it will likely need to be replaced. This is because it will be too waterlogged to repair, and there is also a good chance that it will be covered in mold. Mold is typically what causes a musty odor to circulate throughout your house.
Finally, you might notice water pooling in the attic or in the basement. Over time, this can lead to damage to walls or the foundation itself, and there is also an increased risk of mold growth that can spread throughout the rest of the house.
Other Issues Associated with Water Damage
If moisture is able to get into your house, it may become a breeding ground for insects, rodents or other pests. They will see your house as a prime source of water, which any living thing needs to survive. In addition, water can degrade wood and other materials that pests can then potentially chew through to gain access to your property.
Insects and rodents can each reproduce at a rapid rate, which means that you could quickly have an infestation on your hands. If water hasn’t eaten away at wires or drywall, it’s possible that pests will do so instead.
Moisture Damage Makes It Harder to Fix the Roof
There are a number of problems that you might encounter when trying to fix a roof that has experienced moisture damage. First, water can seep into decking, underlayment and other components that are supposed to protect the interior of the home from moisture issues.
This means that fixing your roof will likely take more than just replacing shingles or adding a new layer on top of the existing one. Instead, shingles that are in good condition might need to be removed to get to the underneath layers that are damaged or vulnerable to future damage.
It’s also possible that the roof itself will be infested with bugs, rodents or other animals that want a quick meal or drink. It may be necessary to deal with that infestation before it is safe to work on the roof. Roofers will need to be careful while walking on the roof so that they don’t fall through any weak spots.
Signs of Moisture Damage to Your Roof
One of the easier ways to prevent moisture damage is to know the signs that a problem might be brewing. Understanding the signs of a potential leak means that you’ll be more likely to call for help sooner rather than later. The sooner that you call for help, the easier it will likely be to fix any problems that exist before they become major ones.
One sign of water damage is mold growth on shingles. This can occur because rain, ice or snow has sat on the shingle for a lengthy period of time. For instance, if water backs up under the roof because of an ice dam, that would likely be enough to create conditions ideal for mold growth as temperatures rise during the spring.
If you notice grass or other vegetation growing on shingles or in the gutter, this is another sign of water issues. Of course, it’s possible that squirrels, birds or other animals simply dropped some seeds or nuts onto a gutter that was wet from recent rains, and there was enough time for grass or a tree to sprout. Regardless, you’ll want to investigate the cause of the growth to rule out a serious problem.
Potential Causes of Moisture Issues on a Roof
There are many causes of a roof leak, and determining the cause may determine who is responsible for paying to fix it. Let’s say that the leak occurred because the shingles were not installed properly. In such a scenario, whoever installed them would likely be responsible, assuming that there was a service guarantee in place. It’s also possible that the manufacturer would be liable for repairs if you were sold a defective product.
Roof leaks can also be caused by old age. As a roof ages, the shingles can get hard or start to curl. This means that they do less to protect against rain or other moisture. Over time, the water seeps right through the shingles, onto decking and right through to the attic.
Typically, asphalt shingles last for about 20 years if properly cared for. It also assumes that they are exposed to normal weather conditions. Shingles can be damaged by wind, hail or lightning, which may cause the roof to leak before the end of its useful life.
Schedule an Annual Roof Inspection
Ideally, you’ll have your roof inspected at least once a year to detect a leak when it’s still a relatively minor one. An annual inspection also helps to protect any warranty or service guarantee associated with the structure. This may be helpful if you need to make a warranty claim, and it could also improve your odds of having an insurance claim approved if you decide to ask your insurance company to pay for repairs.
If you are in need of roof repair or inspection, don’t hesitate to contact the team at Red Bird Roofing today. Ask us about our roof coating options, too! We can work with your insurance company and help with the process of submitting a claim for work related to storm damage. We’ll also be able to repair or replace gutters to further ensure that your home is protected from the elements. Call Red Bird Roofing today for all your roofing needs!
