Leaking roofs can cause major problems

 

Leaking roofs can cause major problems

 

                                                 

    

If your home has a leaky roof, it can open the door to a number of problems inside a home.One of the most hazardous side effects of this moisture accumulation is the growth of mold. When mold takes root inside a home, it can cause a number of serious health problems.

Roof leaks can be very noticeable as dark streaks on the boards that form the underside of the roof frame. They can be attributed to multiple causes. Leaks can start when shingles wear out with age and tear or curl up at the corners. Cracks in the sealing around chimneys or damaged flashing covering seams in the roof can also be culprits.

Replacing old roofing material with new material and fixing any cracks or holes can go a long way to stopping existing leaks and preventing new ones from springing up. An experienced licensed professional roofer can help homeowners to get the job done right.

Mold can forms if moisture accumulates in a spot over a period of time. It can turn up virtually anywhere inside your house where moisture is present including wood, paper and carpet.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to mold can cause or aggravate serious health problems such as allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments. The EPA recommends that homeowners enact several moisture control measures to curtail the presence of mold in their homes.

These moisture control measures include:

• Fix the source of leaks and seepage inside and outside the home.
• Cover all dirt in crawlspaces with a plastic covering.
• Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to vent moisture outside.
• Run dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce moisture in the air.

Excess moisture can not only form mold, but it can cause structural damage to the walls, floors and roof of a home if nothing is done to stop it from collecting.
If the accumulation of mold is severe, it is a good idea for a homeowner to hire a professional Certified Mold Inspection or Remediation company to Remediate the mold. Make sure the company you contact specializes in Mold to prevent cross contamination. After the remediation is complete you will want to have a clearance test done by a 3rd party testing company to make sure that there are no longer any mold spores in the air.