The Main Hazards Of A Moldy Roof & How To Spot It
Just because your roof isn’t leaking water into your house, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be concerned about getting it repaired or replaced. Without knowing the signs of a moldy roof, your roof could be developing mold without you even noticing it before it’s too late.
In Florida, due to our extreme weather conditions, one of the main causes of roof damage is mold.
WHAT IS MOLD?
Per WebMD, “Mold is a type of fungus. These small organisms can be black, white, orange, green, or purple and live almost anywhere indoors and outside. Molds thrive on moisture and reproduce through lightweight spores that travel through the air. You’re exposed to mold every day. They’re usually harmless in small amounts. But when they land on a damp spot in your home, they can start to grow. They release spores that you might breathe in. If you’re sensitive to mold and inhale a lot of spores, it could make you sick.”
Mold from your roof can cause problems to various areas of your home and, being toxic, it also poses various health risks as studies show that mold is one of the leading causes of lung and respiratory problems. Here are three very clear signs that your roof has a mold problem and is in need or a roof repair or a roof replacement:
ROOF LEAKS in Clearwater
Roof leaks are often one of the main sources of mold. In order to grow, mold needs to have water. Leaks on your roof can be caused by a malfunctioning seepage or drainage system, poor roof insulation and of course a damaged roof.
Water from roof leaks penetrates wood or other materials that were used to build your roof and starts to rot the material as the mold grows.
Signs of mold could include discolored insulation or wood and condensation in your attic.
A MUSTY SMELL
A musty smell is most definitely a mold problem; even if you do not see mold in plain sight. As mold can grow in a number of places, when you smell it, it’s important to try and find its source. Is it coming from your roof or attic, or is it coming from another area?
When you smell mold or a musty type odor, some key places to inspect are the attic, the basement and each individual room to see if you can spot where the mold is growing.
VISIBLE SIGNS OF MOLD
Four Things You Can Do Help Prevent Roof Mold:
- Trim any over-hanging tree branches: Trim and remove away from your roof any branches that hang over it. In Florida, we advise that tree branches should have a distance of at least 6 feet from the top of your roof.
- Clean the gutters, the drains and the downspouts: With the amount of rain in Florida, it’s important to keep your gutters and drains free of any leaves and debris. This allows water to flow through your drainage systems without creating roof leaks.
- Proof your roof against mold: If you have any concerns about mold growing on your roof or if you live by a lake or the water front, where air moisture is higher, call a professional roofer and get your roof treated with a coating that gives it a stronger resistence against mold.
- Add better ventilation to your roof: A good ventilation system is key in preventing your roof from growing mold. If your ventilation allows for sunlight and air to enter the attic or roof, your roof is less likely to develop mold. If your roof isn’t getting enough ventilation, call a professional roofer and ask them to add vents or “ridge vents” to your roof.
Some Examples of A Moldy Roof:
To help you spot potential roof mold prior to it spreading and causing more problems to your home and to your health, we’ve included some images of what mold on your roof might look like. If you spot mold on your roof, immediately contact us for a free inspection and to discuss your options to getting it removed.
