A roof is the first line of defense when it comes to your home. Even the smallest of leaks in your roof can cause a lot of damage to your home if not attended to at the earliest. Although a tiny leak in the roof may not seem like it can cause serious damage immediately, it can potentially become a huge problem in the long term, especially in the monsoon season. So, maintaining your roof is highly essential. If you have been putting off fixing that tiny little leak, here are four risks of putting off roof leak repairs. 

Electrical damage

Water is one of the biggest threats to electrical wiring and a leaky roof can definitely cause a threat. Leaky roofs mean, water can intrude into your home and harm the electrical wiring. There are numerous wires that are running through the walls of your house. Water is a conductor of electricity and can cause major hazards to your property. It can cause your breaker to trip or in advance cases, even cause a fire. Apart from this, on a small scale, these exposed wiring can also cause electric shocks. 

Existing damage to roof structure

Your roof, whatever roofing material it may be, is made of shingles. These shingles can make or break your home. You may feel like a small leak in the roof is not going to cause serious impairment and is not worth investing money into repairing, but this small leak can turn into a big one with time. Water will infiltrate the other layers of our roof and you will have to end up replacing the entire roof itself, which will cost you a lot more money than attending to the leak. 

Growth of mold

If you allow water to seep in through the roof, there is a very high chance that mold will develop. Mold forms when the conditions are warm and moist. Rainwater usually infiltrates the roof and there is a very good chance that the water will seep through the walls, tiny holes, and then spread through the air-conditioning vents to clothing and furniture. Wood left to soak in moisture will begin rotting and provide the ideal conditions for fungus to form.  This will not only cost you money but also can be a health hazard.

It can cause rashes, throat infections, and nose blocks and in some extreme cases, asthmatic and other respiratory problems. Mould is extremely difficult to get rid of, and you will end up spending a lot of money on its removal.  It is recommended that you inspect and maintain your roof on a regular basis to prevent mold from developing.

Higher bills

Insulation materials affected by water seepage also take a very long time to dry out, and wet insulation will trap hot and cold air in an inefficient manner. A soggy false ceiling could crack up and fall down in bits if left unattended, and shoot up home repair bills.  If the roof is left untouched for long periods of time, the excess water intrusion will exhaust the insulation rapidly and would lead to increased energy and utility bills.

Wrapping Up

It is absolutely vital to fix a leaky roof as soon as possible. Remember that the longer you put it off, the more expensive the final cost of roof leak repairs will be. An interim solution to consider until you are able to have your roof professionally repaired is to apply some non-toxic protective coatings available in the market which can prevent additional seepage of water. These chemicals are water-resistant and can protect your roof by preventing any further water damage until you are able to carry out permanent repairs.  Keep in mind that these coatings can only provide temporary relief. It is always advisable to go to a professional for a long-lasting solution. If you are looking to replace your roof, visit Dura Roof today for high-quality roofing essentials that last for generations to come.