Preventative maintenance is necessary to keep your roof in excellent shape for the long haul. Severe weather can make a roof vulnerable to leaks. Mold and mildew proliferate when leaks aren’t addressed promptly. Whenever you notice even the tiniest leaks, schedule prompt roof repairs to prevent mold from forming.

If your roof leaks, mold typically develops within trapped areas where moisture accumulates and cannot escape. Outdoor air may not reach these damp areas, and they do not dry adequately. Over time, mold develops and spreads. It ruins furnishings, stains ceilings and walls, and makes your home musty.

Mold found on a residential roof by a moss roofing inspector during a roof inspection.

How Long Mold Takes To Form And Grow

Mold typically thrives in damp places. Water from a leaky roof can help it grow. You must repair the leak promptly to stop mold from forming and eventually ruining your home. Mold begins to germinate within just 24 to 48 hours of moisture exposure. This initial stage can continue for up to three days.

If not addressed, advancing mold will grow on damp floors, walls, and other surfaces within two weeks, but it might still not be visible to the naked eye. It’ll likely take another week to see the mold in your home visibly. Even if you’ve solved the problem of a roof leak, you might need mold remediation work, depending on the pervasiveness of the mold growth.

If you suspect mold formation on your ceilings or walls, wipe over the affected surface with a diluted bleach solution, a distilled white vinegar and baking soda solution, or hydrogen peroxide. Although this effort may not kill 100% of the mold spores, it’s a step in the right direction. Once mold becomes visible, it can be extremely difficult to remove since it tends to adhere tightly to hard surfaces, so you will likely need professional remediation.

Quick Intervention To Prevent Mold Growth

Leaks often cause significant damage to your home’s insulation, ceilings, and other internal components. Establishing an ongoing relationship with a local roofing contractor can help you address roof leaks immediately. This avenue will prevent costly mold damage. An experienced roofer can also identify common roofing problems before they result in leaks.

Bucket in a residential home catching water from a roof leak.

Causes Of Mold Formation In A House

If you own a home, consider the following common reasons for mold development:

Moss Roofing Table Graph of Cause of Mold: The reasons listed are:
Moisture from leaky roofing, plumbing, or windows.
Flooding or excess water intrusion from a thunderstorm or heavy rain.
Pervasive dampness in attics, lofts, basements, or crawl spaces.
Poorly maintained, defective, or malfunctioning HVAC systems.
Inadequate ventilation in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
Insufficient or improper insulation in attics, walls, floors, or ceilings.
Poor indoor air circulation, resulting in high humidity.
Condensation on windows and walls.

The Health Impact Of Mold Formation In A Home

Statistical evidence supports the pervasiveness of mold nationwide in households and other living spaces. It also demonstrates that exposure to mold causes not only the need for roof leak repairs but can have seriously harmful side effects on most lives – humans and pets. In particular, mold leads to severe health issues for people suffering from allergies, asthma, or chronic lung disease. Consider the following data:

Moss Roofing Graph of Residential Home Containing Mold. 67% of Residential Homes Contain Mold. 33% of Residential Homes Do Not Contain Mold.

Moss Roofing Graph of American With Health Issues (In Millions).
100 Million Americans have Allergies
Over 25 Millions Americans have Asthma
Over 30 Million Americans Suffer From Chronic Lung Disease

How A Reputable Roofing Contractor Prevents Roof Leaks And Mold Formation

A knowledgeable and experienced roofing company understands the crucial steps to reduce the likelihood of a roof leak. These steps are the key to mold prevention. Considering the following solutions routinely utilized by trained roofing professionals:

Hip and ridge cap shingles are engineered to protect the areas where two roof faces join. They help protect this otherwise vulnerable space from water intrusion and mold formation.

At every roof opening, such as near chimneys or skylights, adding pre-manufactured flashing enables the flow of water to be directed away from these otherwise vulnerable areas to moisture intrusion.

If an attic does not have proper air circulation, moisture from warm air and humidity can become trapped, creating favorable conditions for mold to grow. The homeowner may only realize this once the situation becomes hazardous.

Air pockets around chimneys, skylights, vents, and other roofing components allow moisture to penetrate the roof. Sealing or resealing the surface around those roof openings forms a waterproof barrier.

Professional roofer in safety harness installing new shingles on a residential roof, equipped with various roofing tools and equipment.

Hiring A Roofing Contractor To Fix Leaks

Whenever your roof sustains damage allowing moisture intrusion, you have about 24 to 48 hours to dry the damp areas before mold starts forming. As a homeowner, you need professional intervention to reverse the problem immediately. Additionally, timely roof repairs protect your home from leaking and mold proliferation.

Don’t jeopardize your home, health, or well-being by postponing necessary repairs. At Moss Roofing, we address roof leaks ASAP and identify areas of concern before they allow moisture intrusion and mold formation. To learn more about our fast, responsive roofing services or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact Moss Roofing today.