Austin Fire and Flood

A house's roof is the source of all wind, rain, and storm protection. If the roof is not adequately maintained, it leaks and causes water damage. The only way to fix that water damage is to hire the help of a quality water damage restoration company like Austin Fire and Flood.

The water damage caused by a roof leak may sometimes appear right away. Yet, detecting other types of water damage often takes weeks or months. Here are a few ways that roof leaks seriously damage a home and how to spot them.

Drywall Damage

Drywall is one of the most common parts of a home damaged by water intrusion. When water penetrates the roof, it leaks down the walls and onto the drywall, often from the backside. Wet drywall tends to buckle, bend, sag, and even fall off the wall.

Drywall damage is often hard to detect from the front until you notice it sagging or breaking under the strain of its own weight.

Ceiling Damage

The ceiling, being close to the roof, is especially susceptible to water damage. Once water leaks through the trusses and any attic space, the ceiling is next. Depending on the severity of the roof leak, a ceiling leak will either take a long time to notice or be immediately apparent.

Insulation Damage

The precious insulation in the walls and under the roof keeps the heat out and maintains a cool temperature in the home. Insulation is effective only because of the millions of air pockets between the fibers that help support the heat exchange.

Water damage causes the insulation to clump together, eliminating these vital air pockets. Wet insulation both loses its ability to insulate a home and is a breeding ground for mold and mildew.

Mold

Any time water gets into places it shouldn't be, it causes mold and mildew. These, in turn, can cause health issues. Keeping the roof in peak condition is the best way to prevent mold growth throughout the home.

Mold also doesn't stay in the same place it started. Spores can travel through your air ducts, get on clothes, and even travel in the stream of water from the roof leak itself.

Chance for Fire Damage

The most serious hazard caused by leaky roofs is the chance of fire damage. When water drips through the house, it can touch wires and outlets. If water gets on one frayed wire or inside an outlet box, it may start a fire.

Water Damage Restoration

Water damage is a complicated beast to conquer. Prevention is always the best way to fight this because it's hard to stop once it starts.

However, if a home does get water damage, it's not the end of the world. Austin Fire and Flood can help restore your home and completely renovate the damaged portion of the house. They offer their services to Georgian Acres, Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas.

Call Austin Fire and Flood at (512) 912-6814 for a consultation to review your water damage restoration needs.