Stop the spread

By Anna Lockhart.  

Can one spot of damage ruin a whole roofing system? Roofing experts explain what happens if a portion of your roof gets water damage.  

If your home’s roof has experienced minor water damage, it might seem that the issue isn’t a major concern. After all, it’s just one spot. What’s the harm?  

But as Jim Singleterry from RoofSmart notes, that one spot might be hiding a bigger secret: without you realizing, that one area could already be impacting other areas of the roof, meaning bigger damages are in store if it’s left unaddressed.  

Roof leaks, as Jim explains, rarely stay small. It’s a natural progression for damaged areas of a roof to eventually spread through the rest of the system, and because moisture is absorbed so well by wooden materials, you can quickly find your attic space smelling musty from mold, and worse, rotten. Structural failures will likely be imminent.  

RoofSmart encourages homeowners to reach out to their local roofing professional to fix the problem as soon as possible to minimize further damage and save significant money invested in the problem.  

If your home is experiencing a leak or damage, it’s important to assess what level of damage you’re addressing so it can be communicated to the professionals you’re trusting to fix the issue. Here’s how to identify different stages of deterioration: 

• Early leak: In the initial stages of a leak, water has found its way into the roofing system from a small gap in the roof surface or flashing. Sometimes, this damage is invisible. However, if you’re unsure and worried that there’s damage, it’s a good idea to call in the pros to be certain.  
• Decking saturation: At this point, enough water has leaked through the damaged area to spread throughout the system, soaking the plywood. To the eye, this can look like an area is slightly discolored from the rest of the visible wood.  
• Attic moisture: At this level of damage, the attic space might have a visible and audible level of dripping water, or a buildup of muggy humidity. This is a level of high concern, considering the amount of water it takes to produce such a phenomenon. The humidity and dripping water might also come with a musty smell, and insulation will likely be damp as well.  
• Mold growth: Mold and significant air quality issues in an enclosed space within the home or attic are major signs of damage. Wood at this stage has been exposed to a large amount of water, and wooden materials are on the verge of decaying.  
• Interior damage: A critical level of damage has occurred when the interior of the home, beyond the attic spaces, has experienced water damage. Ceilings and walls may also experience water saturation and decay. Water stains and bubbling paint are visual signs that this is occurring.  

While it’s not always a given that you will be able to catch damage from the very first stage of damage, this is all the more reason to conduct regular checks on your roofing system and the surrounding spaces. Stopping the damage in its tracks is the best outcome of your wallet, but if you’re ever unsure, it’s always good to bring in a second pair of eyes to assess the situation. Particularly, the attention of a professional who is well educated in identifying and fixing these structural issues.  

Read the article to learn more about the signs of roof damage and what the experts at RoofSmart recommend.