Ways a Damaged Roof Can Affect Your Health

Ways a Damaged Roof Can Affect Your Health

That barely noticeable crack on your roof might not seem like much, but it can cause a lot more damage than its diminutive appearance suggests. If you have a damaged roof, you must be aware of the hazards it poses to your health and safety. Most people procrastinate repairing their roof until it creates a serious problem for either their wellbeing or the rest of their house. If you were planning to save your roof repair for another day, learning more about the ways a damaged roof can affect your health might change your mind and encourage you to fix the problem immediately.

Respiratory Problems

A damaged roof makes it easier for water to infiltrate the home. An accumulation of moisture can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew—two types of fungi that are detrimental to your health. Exposure to them can lead to symptoms such as nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, and chest tightness. It can also cause severe reactions in people with allergies or asthma. If not entirely removed, mold will continue to spread throughout your home.

Physical Harm

Another way a damaged roof can affect your health is by creating problems that can cause you physical harm. A leaking roof can lead to water damage, and if the damage becomes too severe, it will weaken the structure of your home, eventually leading to issues such as wall collapse and plaster pulling away from the lath. If you’re in the area when these structures begin to collapse, some of the debris could fall on you.

Loose shingles are another huge problem. If they’re blown off the roof and land in your yard, the nails that hold them down can come with them. This poses an immediate threat to your safety. If you don’t notice them, there’s a chance you’ll accidentally step on the nails. This can result in injury and cause you to develop bacterial infections such as tetanus, which have the potential to be life-threatening.

Fire and Electrical Hazards

If you have exposed electrical wiring in your attic or basement, a leaking roof is more than an annoyance—it’s a straight-up fire hazard. If exposed wires become damp or are submerged in water, they can start to spark. These sparks could potentially ignite the insulation, the surrounding structure, and anything else that’s stored in the attic. If you get caught in the flames, you could be exposed to smoke or seriously injured, or even get trapped and die.

There are plenty of reasons you shouldn’t wait to have your roof repaired. Your health is one of them. If you suspect your roof is damaged, don’t wait to call a professional roof repair company. The sooner you get the problem fixed, the better.

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