Standing water, also called “water ponding” on your roof, can lead to a number of serious consequences for the health of you and your home.
Not only can it lead to the need for constant repairs, but it can significantly reduce the lifespan of your roof leading to a premature need for a roof replacement (which is a large and oftentimes expensive project).
And as the summer months approach, rain and thunderstorms will roll in with ample amounts of rainwater that can easily pool on your roof. Now’s the time to understand the risks you face when you don’t do anything about this water.
Here are a few of the dangers of standing water on your roof:
Leaks
The first issue most people think of when it comes to the dangers of standing water on your roof is leaks. We have a number of blog posts explaining how leaks can lead to extensive damage and why you need to fix roof leaks ASAP.
Here’s a quick synopsis:
If you have leaks in your roof caused by standing water, this can lead to damage in your attic, walls, insulation, and in the roof itself. Shingles can become loose, wood can rot, and contaminants from the water can leech into your plumbing system, walls, and more.
Leaks caused by standing water can also interfere with your home’s heating and cooling system, ventilation, and electrical systems as well. Not to mention the increased risk of mold & mildew growth and structural issues in the home.
Paint and Roofing Material Corrosion
Standing water can easily cause paint and other roofing materials to corrode. The corrosion can expose even more of the roof and other parts of the home to the water, which can lead to the issues we went over with the leaks.
This can also lead to structural damages & issues as well as needing other roofing repairs to fix any of the corrosion that occurs.
Be aware of all types of risks your roof faces.
Read this to learn about wind damage, this for tree damage, and here to contact us for help fixing anything else that comes your way.
Health Risks
Standing water often stagnates and has little or no movement. This creates perfect breeding grounds for pests, insects, and harmful bacteria that can easily interfere with your home and family.
Mosquitos are notorious for breeding around standing water, and they can carry dangerous diseases that can infect you and your family.
Rodents and other small animals like raccoons will also make themselves at home when they find ponding water. These animals can carry a number of diseases along with ticks and their droppings to contaminate your home.
Collapse
While a roof collapse is a worst-case scenario, it is a real threat when you have standing water on your roof.
As we said before, the water can easily leak through your roof and affect the walls & structure of the roof and the home in general. This weakens the structure overall and, over time, can lead to a roof collapse.
At the very least, this will mean you need a roof replacement. At worst, this could lead to serious injury and major damages to all parts of the home.
What Can You Do About the Dangers of Standing Water? Call a Professional
The dangers of standing water on your roof should not be taken lightly. There are simple ways to avoid this issue like pumps, vacuums, or even just towels and rags.
However, if you cannot handle the clean up on your own, or you don’t know how to fix the situation, we highly recommend contacting a roofing professional. It’s their job to understand how to fix these situations in the long term and ensure your home & roof are as safe as possible.
We can help. With years of experience working with various types of roofs, different types of roofing materials, and more, we can help you fix your issue and keep your home safe.
Contact us today to set up a consultation with some of our experts.