If your home has sustained roof damage in recent weeks, you shouldn’t just ignore it. It’s going to turn into a real eyesore in no time at all.
And that’s not the only thing that’s going to happen when you have a leaky roof on your hands. Roof water damage can also be a serious health hazard in some cases.
So, how can a roof leak compromise your health and the health of others living in your home? Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which roof damage could put you and your family at risk.
A Leaky Roof Could Collapse at Any Second
When a roof first starts to leak, the leak will be on the smaller side. There won’t be much of a chance of the roof collapsing when roof damage is kept to a minimum.
But over time, a small roof leak can turn into a much bigger roof leak. At that point, there is a much greater chance of the roof collapsing.
If this happens, it could cause serious injuries or even death. The average roof weighs about 15 pounds per square foot, so you can imagine how much damage it might be able to do.
It Could Cause Slip and Fall Injuries to Occur
If a roof is leaking and allowing water to enter the inside of a home, that water could very well begin to pool on the floor in certain places. You’ll need to put a bucket out to catch it to stop the floor from becoming slippery.
If you don’t do this, it could cause slip and fall injuries to occur. You or one of your family members could slip on the wet floor and hurt yourselves.
This is yet another reason why you shouldn’t ever allow a roof leak to linger for longer than it should. It’s not uncommon at all for people to sustain broken bones following slip and fall accidents.
It Could Lead to Mold Growing Inside a Home
Just about all American homes contain at least some mold spores inside of them. But homes with leaky roofs tend to contain more mold spores than others, and these mold spores are known to cause health problems for many people.
If you and your family are exposed to mold for prolonged periods of time, you may begin having allergic reactions to it. Mold can cause you to sneeze, cough, and develop itchy eyes and skin.
Mold can also lead to more serious problems down the line. You and your family may suffer from respiratory issues and have to be hospitalized if you don’t pick up on a mold problem and do something about it.
Fix Roof Damage Right Away for All These Reasons
Your house isn’t going to look very nice when it sustains roof damage. But more importantly, it’s not going to be a safe place for you and your family to live.
Spring into action and fix the water damage from a leaking roof when you see it. It could help to keep your family safe and healthy in many cases while also improving the general appearance of your home.
Check out our blog for more home improvement tips.
