Leaky Roofs and Mold

8/3/2017 (Permalink)

A small leak in your roof can go unnoticed for some time. This can allow moisture to seep into your home resulting in the development of mold.  Now, not only will you need your roof repaired, you will need to address any damage the leak has caused to the inside of your home. The first step is to determine the cause of the leak and have it repaired.  

Causes of Roof Leaks

The actual cause of a roof leak may vary, but the most common include:

• Broken or missing shingles
• Damaged flashing
• Ice dams

Sometimes, during a strong wind storm, shingles may become damaged or blown off. If you check your roof regularly after a storm, this will be obvious.  However, it is not always easy to see if a shingle was damaged unless you climb up on your roof and inspect it thoroughly.  Realistically though, it is not always possible to do this so you may not be able to detect any damage until you see water on the interior of your home. 

Damaged flashing can allow water and moisture into the home which can cause mold to develop. This is also the case with the metal installed around your chimney, dormer windows, skylights and any vent pipes you may have. 

Ice dams are very common in the winter. These are ridges of ice that form at the edge of a roof and prevent melting snow from draining off the roof.  The water then will back up behind the dam and can leak into your home and cause damage to ceilings, walls, insulation and other areas. 

Signs to Look For

• Water marks on ceilings and/or walls
• Discolored areas on ceilings and/or walls
• Peeling paint around skylights or dormer windows
• Peeling, cracked, bubbled plaster
• Mold around the chimney
• Wood that is rotting in the attic, around skylights or dormer windows
• Musty or mildew smell in attic

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. Learn more about our mold remediation process.

1. Emergency Contact - (708) 239-1444
2. Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment
3. Mold Containment
4. Air Filtration
5. Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials
6. Cleaning Contents and Belongings