Water and moisture in your loft can cause you headaches and expensive repairs. Mold can grow and endanger your health, and water may weaken the structural integrity of your home. The majority of the time, attic water damage is due to roof leakage. In other instances, it may be improper attic venting and insulation or appliance failures. Here’s how to prevent roof repairs and water damage from ventilation, insulation, or appliances from your attic.
The best tip on how to prevent roof leakage is to maintain it regularly:
A professional roofing contractor may assess the roof’s integrity and spot and repair lost shingles, warping, corrosion, or any other problem, in time to prevent roof leakage.
Suggestions to Find and Fix a Roof Leakage
First, check the wood and insulation for signs of water damage, such as discoloration and mold development. The area where both roofs combine at an angle is prone to cracks and roof flows, so be certain to inspect it also.
Leaks are also common in the area around attic plumbing stacks. Another way to detect water leaks from the attic would be to inspect the brightly lighting canisters. Rust, corrosion, and stains around them signal moisture coming from the attic and potential electrical risks.
If you see these signs, check and fix these issues: worn moisture obstacles, deteriorated pipe or shingles flashing, lost flashing, caps or shingles, or clogged gutters and downspouts. Read more tips to fix a roof leak.
Without proper ventilation, the moisture from your loft increases. Having good attic ventilation is particularly important in the winter months. That’s because, in winter, warm air rises to the ceiling, which enters the loft, and condenses on the cold surfaces of the attic. Condensation can’t escape unless your attic has adequate ventilation.
Furthermore, ensure your attic vents — soffit, ridge, and gable-mounted vents — openings aren’t obstructed by something like insulating material. There are many approaches to improve attic venting, so be sure to consult a specialist. Click here for more information.
Insulate Your Attic
Insulation has an important function in controlling the temperature levels in your loft. Otherwise, ice dams may form on the borders of your roof, potentially causing water damage.
So, make sure your attic floor is properly insulated to help prevent warm air from entering the attic. Additionally, make sure the insulation of heating system ducts is also in good shape.
To check if your insulation is in good condition, make it thick, soft, and dry. If it feels moist and looks flat and thin, it will create high moisture conditions. Fix it immediately.
Vent Appliances to the Outdoor
A frequent error in houses is improper venting of appliances. The cabinetry, kitchen, and bathroom vents should always blow off the atmosphere to the outside and not in the loft. Your attic ventilation might not otherwise be able to get rid of the accumulated moisture economically.
Be aware that appliances in your attic such as air conditioners, swamp coolers, and HVAC systems can fail and lead to water damage. Throughout your attic review, assess these appliances for wear and tear and lose links.
Now you are aware of how to prevent roof leakage and loft water damage, find out how to prevent other types of water damage in your home. As venting is important in the whole house, check out more house ventilation tips and how to control the humidity in your home. For water damage restoration and mold cleaning services, contact your regional PuroClean office.
