Outdoor humidity is expected during the summer months. But it can also cause damage to your home, particularly the roof. Condensation forms on the inside of your home when the humidity outside rises. Wet insulation, deadly mold and even roof failure can all result from excess moisture.
If you don’t address moisture, you could end up spending thousands of dollars to fix your roof. That’s why you should understand how to recognize condensation problems before they happen. Hinkle Roofing, your trusted residential and commercial roofing contractor, explains how humidity affects your roof and when it’s time to call in an expert.
How Moisture Causes Roof Damage
The presence of moisture in your roof and attic can lead to the following issues:
- Mold and Mildew Growth – A damp attic allows mold and mildew to grow. Infestations of these spores can weaken joists and decks, as well as corrode your home’s interior components. Worse, the spread of mold and mildew indoors can trigger asthma attacks and other respiratory issues. At least twice a year, inspect your attic for any black or green streaks on the roof sheathing and joists.
- Wet Insulation – When moisture begins to penetrate your insulation, it can cause structural damage to your roof assembly. Mold thrives in trapped moisture, which also accelerates corrosion of metal components on your roof. Wet insulation must be replaced as soon as possible.
- Buckling and Curling Shingles – The roof is baked on both sides by direct sunlight and an overheated attic, causing shingles to curl or buckle. Get in touch with one of the top roofing companies for a thorough inspection.
Protect Your Roof From High Humidity
Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to keep your roof safe from high humidity.
- Ventilate your roof. Heat and humidity can be reduced by ventilating your roof. After all, inadequate ventilation contributes to moisture buildup, which causes mold growth and condensation damage to your home’s interior. Contact a local roofing contractor to determine the optimum ventilation system for your home.
- Never delay roof repairs. Keep in mind that roof repairs should not be put off. Delays will simply exacerbate the problem and necessitate costly repairs.
- Use a dehumidifier. To avoid moisture and mold growth in your attic or crawl space, install a dehumidifier.
Hinkle Roofing’s goal is to make sure your property looks and functions the way you want it to. Our residential and commercial roofing team can be counted on to get the job done to your satisfaction. For a free quote on your roof replacement or repair project today, fill out our contact form or call our team at (205) 324-8545.
