Can a Leaky Roof Cause Structural Damage?

Mold

• Water entering homes and buildings from roof leaks can lead to the growth of mold. Mold causes structural damage by feeding on the wood in the house and can also create serious health problems for anyone living in the house. Mold, which belongs to the fungi group of organisms, can grow rapidly in a moist environment where certain conditions, such as appropriate temperatures and an available food source, exist.

Rafters

• Rafters, the series of beams supporting the roof sheathing, can easily suffer serious damage from a leaky roof. Rotted rafters may compromise the roof's soundness. Even the greatest architects have on occasion fallen victim to leaky roofs and damaged rafters. Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America's great architects, designed a famous house called "Wingspread" for a prominent businessman. Shortly after the house was finished in 1939, the roof started to leak. Various temporary solutions were put in place over the years, but when a permanent solution was finally implemented in 1994, workers found the leak had rotted eight of the rafters.

Ceiling

• Leaking roofs often lead to moisture damage to ceilings. The water can break through the ceiling and into the room below and cause even more problems unless dealt with promptly. One quick fix for a ceiling dripping water involves tying a piece of string or twine to a nail and drilling a small hole at the point of the leak. Stick the nail into the hole and let the string guide the water into a bucket on the floor. Have a permanent repair done as soon as possible.

Walls

• Leaking roofs pose a significant danger to the walls of a building. Water getting into the interior walls can rot the studs and damage metal fasteners, making them less likely to function properly. Moisture also makes insulation less effective by reducing its volume. It can peel or blister the paint on the wall as well. Checking your the wall paint regularly helps you identify any serious roof leaks early.