All roofs over time will fail if not replaced before their time is up. If this happen, it often results in a roof leak. There are only two options you have as a homeowner when this happens: ignore the leak or get it fixed. At Atlas Restoration, we know it’s tempting to leave it alone and hope that it just goes away, but that is not the solution we recommend. Not only will a leak, never repair itself or “go away”, it will lead to more damage the longer you wait to address it. This will only cost more money and hassle down the road – especially if you decide to sell your home. Read on for a few things that may happen if you ignore a leak

More Expenses

Your home and your roof are not like the human body, it will not heal itself when something gets broken. A leak into your home means water damage. Water can damage things as it moves throughout your home, such as an active or quick leak, but it can also damage things by sitting. A small leak can soak into your insulation, ceiling, deck, and other important areas of your home. The longer the water sits in those areas, the more damage it will do. This can lead to foundation issues, water rot, and mold and mildew. Repairing the leak and making interior repairs will cost you more money in the long run than fixing the leak in the first place would have.

Increased Mold and Mildew

If you live in an older home or one that you plan on leaving soon, a water stain may not bother you. However, this water stain is more than just an eye sore – it can be harmful to your health. Wherever there is water, there is moisture. Trapped moisture combined with airborne bacteria creates mold. This mold created airborne pollution that you and your family are now breathing in every day. This mold can cause health problems that range from itching eyes, sneezing and coughing to serious allergic reactions such as asthma attacks or permanent lung damage.

Shorten the Life of Your Roof

We know that replacing your roof isn’t a fun purchase you want to make, and that it’s something you only hope to have to do once or twice in your life. That’s why it’s important to maintain the roof your currently have. One of the surefire ways to increase the life of your roof is to make small repairs as necessary before they cause more severe issues. No matter how small the leak, it can weaken the roof and cause the need for a full replacement sooner than the life of the shingles.

Small leaks in your roof and home may seem like no big deal but addressing them quickly is important to the life of your roof and the safety of your family.