6 Signs Of A Roof Leak In Your Bergen County, New Jersey, Multi-Family Development
6 Signs Of A Roof Leak In Your Bergen County,
New Jersey, Multi-Family Development
Act Fast To Avoid Property
Damage And Mold
A leaky roof in your Bergen County, NJ, multi-family development can have disastrous results. For example, it could destroy furniture and damage the structure of the dwelling. It might even lead to mold growth.
Mold is not only unsightly, but it is difficult to remove and causes health problems. Exposure often results in coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, skin rash, and breathing difficulty. It also worsens the symptoms of asthma. It is extremely dangerous to young children, the elderly, and anyone with pre-existing health conditions.
This is why it is so important to fix roof leaks quickly. The trick to doing that is to identify the leak promptly.
Below are some signs that your multi-family development may have a roof leak.
Discoloration In Your North Jersey Multi-Family Attic
Leaks often appear as stains or wet spots in your attic or in the upper floors. If you find stained walls or ceilings in the top floors of your multi-family development, it could indicate the ceiling has a leak. The same is true for pooling moisture or water dripping in areas where there are no pipes.
Other similar signs include blistering paint and peeling wallpaper. This happens when moisture collects behind the paint or wallpaper and prevents proper adhesion.
Shingles Missing From Your Multi-Family Development
The shingles are the top layer of roof protection. They keep moisture from penetrating your roof and entering the property. Missing shingles could let rain or melting snow seep into the wood beneath.
Moisture causes the wood to expand and weakens the roof structure. Water can also pool and start dripping into the building’s living quarters. There, it might destroy carpeting, furniture, and finishing materials like drywall.
To avoid this, take some time after every rain or wind storm to walk around your multi-family building. Examine the roof for missing shingles and check the ground for any portions that might have blown off the roof.
If you spot gaps or fly-offs, contact a multi-family roof repair specialist to fix the problem.
Roofing Granules In Your North Jersey Gutters
Asphalt shingles contain tiny ceramic or natural stone granules. These rice-sized pebbles protect the surface of the shingles from sun damage.
The sun’s rays include ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV rays are on the same electromagnetic spectrum as visible light. However, they have a shorter wavelength and are thus more intense.
Long-term UV exposure can weaken a shingle’s chemical bonds and cause them to deteriorate. The color fades, it starts shedding granules, and eventually it falls apart.
Rain washes the granules into your gutters. You may spot handfuls of these tiny pebbles in your troughs or below the downspouts. If so, it means your shingles are deteriorating. You should contact a multi-family roof repair company immediately. We also offer an extremely cost-effective, clear acrylic coating service that locks in your roof granules and protects your roof for up to 10 years.
Musty Smells Inside Your Bergen County, NJ,
Multi-Family Building
Roof leaks often lead to water pooling in your attic or behind walls. Standing water is an invitation for mold to spread.
Mold spores are everywhere, floating in the air and waiting for a hospitable place to take root and grow. A warm, damp, undisturbed attic is an ideal place for mold to propagate.
Mold has a peculiar, musty odor. It is easy to identify and smells like the inside of a drain. If you notice such an odor in your North Jersey multi-family development, it likely means you have mold.
It also means you may have a roof leak. Do not delay. Schedule a roof inspection ASAP.
Higher-Than-Normal Multi-Family Building Utility Bills
Gaps in your roofing materials let moisture inside and let heat escape. This combination can increase your monthly heating and cooling bills by a lot.
Excess moisture in the building evaporates and becomes humidity in the air. Your air conditioner must run longer and more often to remove this humidity, so you must pay more for cooling in summer.
In winter, heat rises and slips out the tiny holes in your roof. So, your furnace must work harder to keep up, and your heating bills end up higher as well.
If you have noticed a sharp increase in what you are paying for HVAC services in your Bergen County, NJ, multi-family development, it could be a sign you have roof leaks.
The Age of Your Multi-Family Building’s Roof
The average roof of a multi-family development lasts 15 to 30 years. However, the better you care for it, the longer it lasts.
Proper maintenance includes regular cleaning and inspections. Trim back overhanging branches as well. Wind-blown limbs scrape shingles and damage your roof and fascia. They also drop leaves and twigs that can clog your gutters and lead to winter ice dams.
If your roof has neared or exceeded its expected lifespan, consider roof repair or restoration. This is particularly critical if you have experienced any other signs listed above. It likely means your roof is giving out.
The Takeaway
If your roof is older than 20 or 25 years, it is nearing the end of its useful life. Other signs that it needs repair or restoration include the following:
- Missing Or Damaged Shingles: Look for gaps in roof coverage or shingle pieces that have blown off the roof. Also examine the roof for shingles that curl up at the sides or edges.
- Musty Smells: Musty odors indicate mold, which often arises due to roof leaks. Check your attic for mold if you notice the smell of drains in your house.
- Roof Granules In Gutters: Shingles shed tiny pebbles when they start to deteriorate. They end up in troughs and beneath downspouts.
- Increased HVAC Bills: Roof leaks make your heating and cooling system work harder, which causes higher-than-normal utility bills.
