Something as minor as a few missing shingles might seem relatively unimportant. While minor damage can detract from curb appeal, it can be easy to overlook the aesthetics in favor of saving time and money on repairs. However, regardless of how serious or insignificant the roof issue appears to be, it can cause structural damage throughout your house or commercial facility. Here’s how damage to your roof could impact the structure of the building.
Wood Rot
When something impairs the integrity of your property’s roof, moisture can penetrate through the roof and into the attic and walls. This might include damage from a leaky roof during rainstorms, but even humid air can be problematic. Moist structural beams in the building can weaken as this moisture causes the wood to rot. If the beams develop wood rot, they’ll need to be replaced.
Water Damage
Water penetrating a structure through a damaged roof can damage more than the support beams. Everything from the drywall and insulation to wood trim pieces, cabinetry, and furniture could be affected. Keep in mind that roof damage will worsen over time. Even if the roof isn’t leaking today, this might not be true during the next rainstorm.
Mold Growth
Mold thrives on many surfaces when moisture is present. If you have a roof leak, you might notice this green or black growth spreading across your attic, ceiling, or walls. In some cases, however, the mold grows inside your walls and can go undetected for months or longer. Mold stains and weakens most of the surfaces that it grows on, which means these surfaces must be replaced. It can also weaken the wood frame and even result in significant health problems for you and others in the home or at work.
Collapsed Roof and Walls
Each the factors we discussed previously contribute to weakened support and structural beams. If these critical wood structures are allowed to weaken substantially, they will eventually break. As a result, the house or commercial building loses a portion of its structural frame. This can lead to such serious issues as a collapsed roof, ceilings, and walls. Major construction work is necessary to address these problems.
Regardless of whether your building’s roof damage appears to be minor or stressfully significant, one thing is certain. Your actions now to make repairs can ward off potentially serious structural damage. Contact Heyn Brothers Roofing in Rochester, MN for all your residential or commercial roof repair needs.