The most common culprit for serious roof damage is inclement weather, but there’s actually another that’s sneakier and just as high-risk: excess humidity. Its presence in your roofing system can result in extensive repairs – or even premature replacement – if left unchecked. But how exactly does humidity affect your roof?
- Water Damage
Excess humidity can find its way into your roofing system either from inside or outside your home. Outdoor air retains humidity even when it’s bright and sunny out, meaning your roof will be continuously exposed to it. This isn’t usually a problem if your roof is in airtight condition. But if it has cracks, dents and holes due to a recent weather event, it’s possible for humidity to infiltrate your roof via these openings and intensify any existing water damage.
- Structural Problems
You’ll want to make sure that your roof is well-insulated and ventilated. Otherwise, warm and moisture-laden air from inside your home will find its way into the attic. With no way to escape the space, the humidity will remain trapped inside, encouraging the growth of mold and rot. Given enough time, the fungal growth will start working its way through the decking and trusses, weakening the integrity of the roof structure.
What You Can Do
You’ll want to consult a trusted provider in residential roofing services like Renovation Team before any lasting roof damage can occur due to humidity. But before that, you have to determine the reason for your home’s increased humidity levels. Once identified, the issue becomes easier to handle. You can effectively lower indoor humidity levels by having Renovation Team update your existing attic insulation and ventilation. Opening windows, using a dehumidifier, installing exhaust fans and growing indoor plants that absorb moisture will also help.
There’s nothing much you can do to directly address outdoor humidity – it’s an environmental thing, after all. But you can prevent outdoor moisture from ending up inside your roof by scheduling regular roof inspections and maintenance with Renovation Team. A comprehensive roof checkup is especially crucial following a major weather event, when your roof is at its most vulnerable.
Request a Roofing Quote
At Renovation Team, high-quality exterior siding installation is only one of our specialties. If you need a reliable professional to work on your roof repair or replacement, we’ll be more than happy to fill in that position as well. We proudly serve the areas in and around Creve Coeur, St. Charles and St. Louis, MO. Call us today at (636) 939-1061, or fill out this contact form to schedule your roof evaluation. We look forward to hearing from you!
