PART I: HOW A WATER LEAK CAN CAUSE A FIRE

A leaky roof can be one of the most irritating problems a homeowner can face. Despite the inconvenience posed by a leak in the roof, however, it is not uncommon for homeowners to leave the problem unaddressed. “Out of sight, out of mind,” the saying goes, and it’s easy to forget to have the situation taken care of when other, similarly urgent, matters might be more visible. A small roof leak, however, can easily escalate into a more serious problem when left to fester.

It might come as a surprise, but a leak in your roof is a possible fire hazard, and can quickly escalate into a major situation. Electrical wiring in the ceiling or attic, when exposed to the water from a leak, can create an open circuit if there is a break or some damage in the insulation of the wiring. Such an open circuit can result in fire; the risk is exacerbated by the fact that insulation, or parts of the insulation, used in the attic – kraft facings, for example – can catch fire.

Even without damaged wiring, the possibility of a fire starting due to the leak remains. Metal junction boxes with uncovered wires, for instance, when exposed to water seeping into the roof or attic, can also result in a fire.

PART I: HOW A WATER LEAK CAN CAUSE A FIRE

What should you do if your roof is already leaking and you suspect that you could have damaged or exposed wiring, either in the attic or ceiling? Common sense dictates that you first shut off the power to any circuits in the affected area, and then call in an electrician to investigate. Considering how cramped or inconvenient access to an attic can be – depending on how your home is constructed – actually addressing a fire in such an area can be a difficult and dangerous proposition. Better to have the inspection conducted sooner rather than later.

If you are in danger of a fire from just such a situation, the leak should be taken care of as quickly and decisively as possible.

PART II: MOLD AND MILDEW INFESTATIONS

With roof leaks come the possibility of mold or mildew infesting your house. Mold or mildew can form in the attic, or in your ceiling, and from there can spread to other areas in your home. Carpets, furniture, and even clothing can be affected. The use of wallboard in newer construction as a material for interior walls can also contribute to the spread of mold; the paper backing, if it becomes wet, is an ideal environment for the proliferation of mold. Once mold or mildew has set in, it can be difficult to get rid of.

In addition to its detrimental effects on your home’s structural integrity, the presence of mold or mildew poses a clear and eminent health hazard to all who make their residence under your roof. Among the things people in such an environment can expect to suffer from are shortness of breath, nasal stuffiness, throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, eye irritation, and skin irritation.

PART II: MOLD AND MILDEW INFESTATIONS

Sensitivity, and consequently the severity of the reaction to the moldy environment, varies between individuals; residents exposed to a moldy environment can develop allergic respiratory disease. Those who develop allergies to the mold will exhibit more severe reactions, but even without an allergic reaction, people exposed to a moldy environment can expect to have their health affected adversely. Particularly at risk are infants, small children, and the elderly.

The moldy environment can also exacerbate existing medical conditions. Those suffering from asthma, for example, face an increased incidence of asthmatic symptoms due to exposure to the moldy environment. This is in addition to the more common symptoms that people exposed to a moldy environment are likely to display. People with compromised immune systems and people with pre-existing chronic respiratory illnesses are similarly at increased risk in an environment infested with mold. They can end up with serious lung and respiratory infections when exposed to just such an environment.

PART III: THREATS TO THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF YOUR HOME

The detrimental effects of a leak in the roof can quickly snowball from a small, easily addressed concern into a much larger, more serious situation. It might seem like a minor concern right now, but left by itself, a roof leak can, over time, expand into a nightmare that will not only endanger your home, but all who live in it. In addition to contributing to the accumulation of damage to your home, the structural damage incurred will eventually pose a danger to those residing in the house.

Areas particularly affected by a leak in the roof are the rafters, ceiling joists, and wall framing; external surfaces, such as fascia boards and exterior trim, can also be affected. Over time, water intrusion into these areas will result in the deterioration of the wood, comprising the structural integrity of the wooden structures.

The items stored in the attic, as well as the fixtures in the attic and ceiling, are also vulnerable to damage from roof leaks. Items stored in a leaky attic are, as previously discussed, susceptible to infestation by mold and mildew. In addition to damaging the mechanisms of ceiling-mounted lights and fans, the water can also lead to a short, resulting in the fire hazard dangers previously mentioned.

PART III: THREATS TO THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF YOUR HOME

As spongy and water-weakened wood leads to damaged ceilings and buckled wall coverings, continuing to leave the problem to grow will result in structural damage that is more widespread. Paint in affected areas will darken and chip, and plaster in the wall or ceiling will bubble and expand. Wood exposed by the chipping of the paint and the expansion and cracking of the plaster will, in the presence of a damp environment, lead to even more rotted surfaces.

As time goes by, what started as a small leak can eventually cascade as more and more areas in your home begin failing due to structural damage. Eventually, the affected structures will simply be unable to continue to support whatever weight they normally bear, and collapse. Now that you have been filled with images of your house rotting and collapsing, maybe you will be inspired to call your roofer and fix that leak in your roof you have been ignoring!

Tittle Brothers Construction

787 Southfield Road Lincoln Park, MI 48146

(877) 228-5658

www.tittlebrothers.com