Roofs take a lot of punishment every day and often develop leaks over time. A leaking roof can cause mold growth. Mold is not just unsightly; it can also cause a whole host of health problems and pose risks to your family. Learn why many roofing contractors in Santa Rosa recommend immediate service if you notice a leak or mold in your home.
Ignoring Mold on Your Ceiling Can Prove to be a Grave Mistake
Studies show that mold exposure can cause breathing problems, skin & eye irritation, wheezing, nausea, and headache. Prolonged exposure to mold has been shown to cause asthma, muscle cramps, memory loss, and concentration problems. Long-term mold exposure can also increase one’s risk for mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
Mold feeds on and breaks down organic matter and can damage your belongings and cause serious structural damage. It can enter your HVAC, damaging its critical components. As a result, you may have to replace the system earlier than you expected.
Types of Mold Growth Caused By Roof Leaks
A roof leak can cause limited mold growth or systematic mold growth. Limited mold growth can be defined as mold growth confined to the areas around the leak. Systematic mold growth is a graver problem than limited mold growth. It occurs when mold grows on different parts of the roof due to excess moisture caused by a leak.
How Can I Tell If Mold is Growing on the Ceiling?
Some common signs of ceiling mold growth include:
• Ceiling discoloration
• Visible mold growth – usually dark green, brown, or black
• A musty odor near the leak
If you get sick often or your allergies have worsened, mold growing on your ceiling may be to blame.
What Should I do if There is Mold on my Ceiling?
Mold removal is best left to the experts. If you try to handle mold yourself, you are highly likely to make a mistake that can lead to cross-contamination or you may accidentally breathe in mold spores and become ill.
Hire a roofing contractor in Santa Rosa who has experience dealing with mold. Your contractor will first fix roof leaks and then remove mold from your ceiling using a fungicide. Once your contractor removes mold, they will use a dehumidifier to dry out your attic. Any residual stains should be treated with an encapsulant.
Reasons You Should Hire an Expert For Roof Repair
Roofing contractors have received extensive training in the diagnosis of roof leaks. Their know-how enables them to come up with long-term solutions to roof leaks. Some roof leaks can be difficult to find. With their trained eyes, roofing contractors never miss a detail. They can notice subtle signs of roof leaks and can find roof leaks hiding in plain sight as well as leaks that are tough to locate.
ARS Roofing & Gutters is a trusted roofing contractor in Santa Rosa. We get to the root cause of roof leaks and address them before they cause serious water damage. To learn more, call (707) 584-5900.