Asphalt shingle roofs are the most frequent and usually the most affordable roofing option; they are low-maintenance and simple to install, but they are less resistant to wind and heavy rain than metal, slate, or tile roofs. Asphalt shingles have an average lifespan of 20 to 40 years, depending on the manufacturer and quality, while many warranties only guarantee 15 to 25 years.
When your roof system becomes compromised and releases a leak, you basically only have two options: ignore the leak or have it repaired.
While it may be tempting to ignore it and hope that it would go away on its own, it is preferable to have it treated as soon as possible. Another common blunder is to put off repairing the leak until it becomes a bigger issue. Bundling a number of repairs will rarely save you money, as waiting for one repair will increase the cost of the others!
Here are three things that can happen if you take the easy way out and overlook a leak in your roof:
Mold is more likely to develop
If you don’t mind a few water stains here and there, a little leak might not seem like a huge concern to you. Water, on the other hand, does much more than just soak things. There is a risk of mold growth anywhere there is water.
When water leaks into walls, insulation, or ceilings and is left ignored, it creates the ideal environment for mold to grow, potentially resulting in a significant clean-up charge and an even larger repair expenditure that could have been prevented.
Mold in your home can make you unwell in some situations, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs, as well as cause other health concerns for you, your family, and your pets, whether or not you are allergic.
Repairs become more costly
A shingle roof leak isn’t going to go away on its own or heal like a paper cut on a finger. When water is let to sit, it can cause havoc, and even minor leaks can penetrate into your insulation, ceiling, deck, and other surfaces.
As a result, the longer water sits and hits certain locations, the more damage it causes and the more costly the repairs become. Roof leaks will eventually create interior damage that will be significantly more expensive to repair if they are not repaired.
The lifespan of your roof system will shorten
Nobody likes to repair a roof very often, and most people will put it off as long as they can because of the cost and inconvenience. So, if you think you can make it last longer, go for it! Repairing tiny leaks as soon as they appear is one strategy to extend the life of your asphalt shingle roof.
Leaks that go unnoticed, no matter how minor or inconsequential, undermine the roof structure and force you to replace your entire roof far sooner than you would have otherwise. Calling a professional roofing company for an inspection and repairing problems before they become an expensive problem is the best course of action.