Homeowners do not always realize it, but heat and humidity — or the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere — can greatly affect the maintenance of a roof. Excessive moisture can lead to numerous water-related problems, like rot and mold, and even pose health hazards to the residents. In this article, a roofing contractor tells how humidity can impact your roof.
Excessive Attic Moisture Can Lead to Costly Problems
Once moisture finds its way into the attic, your home is at serious risk for significant structural damage. Moisture can become trapped in the room, promote the development of condensation, and then lead to mold forming on attic floor joists, roof joists, and roof rafters. Too much moisture can also encourage wood rot, compromising the stability of the plywood sheathing and causing the wood layers to separate.
It is also detrimental to breathe in mold spores. When inhaled, it can cause coughing, itchy eyes, and trigger allergic reactions and asthma attacks.
Outdoor Heat and Humidity Can Increase Roof Damage
In addition to the humidity inside your home, your residential roofing also has to deal with the hot, humid weather. Intense heat from the sun and heat rising into your attic or crawl space can cause shingles to curl and shrink, nails to pop, and weak areas to form. Once this happens, cracks and splits on the roof can allow water to seep into your home, leading to expensive water damage.
It is crucial to have your roof regularly inspected by a professional for signs of water damage, especially after a storm event, to help you detect and address small problems before they cause the failure of your roofing system.
You can count on LePage and Sons Roofing LLC for high-quality residential roof repair and roof replacement in Massachusetts. Our certified team delivers industry-leading products and outstanding customer service to ensure the comfort and satisfaction of our clients. Call us at (508) 210-2334 or fill out our contact form to request a free, no-obligation quote.