Asphalt shingles roofs are the most common and usually the most inexpensive roofing solution – they are low-maintenance and easy to install, but tend to be less resistant to wind and strong rain than alternative solutions like metal, slate or tile roofs. The average lifespan of asphalt shingles ranges from 20 to 40 years depending on the manufacturer and specific product, although many warranties only guarantee between 15 and 25 years.

No roof is going to last forever and when your roof system gets compromised and springs a leak, you really only have two options: You can ignore the leak or you can have it fixed.

While it’s tempting to ignore it and hope that it will go away on its own, the better course of action is to get it fixed as soon as possible. Another common mistake is to wait to repair the leak until it turns into a bigger problem. Bundling a bunch of repairs will rarely save you money as waiting on one repair makes it more costly!

Here are a three things that can happen if you decide to go the other route and simply ignore a leak in your roof:

Repairs get more expensive

A shingle roof leak will not go away miraculously or heal itself like a paper cut on a finger. Water will cause havoc when it is left sitting and even smaller leaks can soak into your insulation, ceiling, deck, and other areas. Consequently, the longer any water sits and hits those areas, the more damage it will do and the more expensive the repairs will become. If roof leaks don’t get fixed, they will eventually cause interior damage that are even costlier to fix. 

Chance of mold growth increases

A minor leak might not seem like a big deal to you if you don’t care about a couple of water stains here and there. However, water does a lot more than just soak things. Wherever there is water, there are is chance of mold growth. Whenever water leaks into walls, insulation, and ceiling and is left unattended, you have created the perfect location for mold that may lead to a large clean-up situation and an even bigger repair bill that could have been easily avoided.

Be aware that in some cases, mold in your home can make you sick, especially if you have allergies or asthma. Whether or not you’re allergic, mold exposure can irritate your eyes, skin, nose, throat, and lungs and lead to other health problems for you, your family and your pets.

The expected life of your roof system will decrease

Nobody wants to replace a roof very often – in fact, most people will put it off as long as possible because of the expense and the hassle. So if you can make it last longer, you should! One of the ways to expand the life expectancy of your asphalt shingle roof is to fix small leaks as soon as they show up. Leaks that get ignored, no matter how small and insignificant they may be, will weaken the roof system and will cause you to need that full roof replacement much sooner than you would have otherwise.

• Has your roof been leaking?
• Have you noticed any issues with your roof like missing or curled shingles?
• Is your roof older than 10 years?
• Has your area been hit by severe weather conditions lately like strong winds or hailstorms?

The best course of action is to call a professional roofing company for an inspection and fix issues before they become a costly problem.

At Remedy Roofing, inspections and price quotes are always free. We will take care of any roof repair and will inspect the rest of your roof system as well to make sure your entire home is protected for the long haul. We can help with roof replacements, but we also help you maintain the roof you already have to put that off for as long as you can.

Give us a call today at 888-HAIL-PRO or fill out the online form at http://remedyroofing.com/get-a-quote/ to schedule your inspection!