Standing Water On Your Roof Can Lead to Mold

According to the philosopher Maslow’s hierarchy of needs for happiness, one of the basic necessities of our lives is  to have a roof over our heads. But did you know that your roof is one of the most vulnerable part of your home? While it shields you from winds, rain, heat, and other natural hazards, it’s constantly put to the test of natural elements. Under constant exposure, your roof is likely to get damaged overtime. One of the root causes of roof damage is standing water, which may occur after severe storms or heavy rainfall, and commonly leads to the formation of mold.

Standing water is any water that hasn’t dissipated or drained within 48 hours on a roof. If it’s not treated properly, it will lead to deterioration and structural weakening. The most common cause for standing water is obstructed or inadequate roof drainage. Flat roofs (especially on modern homes) often run into this problem. One way to fix it is to regularly check and clean the drains or gutters of your home. Compressed insulation due to heavy roofing materials or saturated roof insulation due to leaks or degradation can also lead to standing water.

Standing water on rooftops provide the perfect environment for mold to survive and multiply. Mold spreads quickly and will cause discolouration, foul smells, and even hazards to your health. It’s actually very hard to detect molds, but if you smell something a bit off, or notice water stains in your house, you should conduct a thorough inspection of mold in your home. If the mold is left undiscovered, eventually algae and vegetation will begin to form. The extra vegetation will worsen the situation by blocking the drains. As time goes on, the roots could even penetrate through your roof and cause more cracks and leakage on your rooftop.

Not only will standing water form mold, undetected standing water will also speed up the aging of your house.  If your roof is made of metal, it will rust, and if your roof is made of wood, it will crack and rot. Plus, the extra weight standing water pushes onto your roof will weaken its state. When the standing water goes beyond the weight capacity of your roof, your roof can collapse, which will be extremely dangerous for you and your family. The extra weight can also cause the entire roof-deck to be deformed. So after a storm, always check for standing water on your rooftops to avoid problems in the future.

Never leave standing water on your roof unattended - it can cause major issues in the future. If you discover standing water on your rooftop, or if you think you may have mold forming in your house or on your roof, contact a professional right away.  Feel free to book an appointment with Matrix Remediation to ensure that your home is safe and mold-free. Our staff are experts at treating standing water and mold problems, and offer expert services at competitive prices. Contact us at 1-888-885-8683, or by email at info@matrixremediation.com.