Water Damage Due To Roof Leak

The initial dangers of a roof leak are damage to the attic area and items stored there.

Water damage due to roof leak.

If the ceiling leak is caused by a roof problem it s important to find the true source of the leak which may be somewhere far removed from the water stain. Affected ceiling paint will darken and ceiling plaster may bubble and expand. Water damage is one of the most common causes of home insurance claims according to the insurance services office iso water damage claims are the second largest frequent insurance claim following wind and hail damage. Some roof leaks are tough to locate.

According to the insurance information institute homeowners insurance may help pay for repairs if for instance your drywall is drenched after your water heater ruptures or an upstairs pipe bursts and water saturates the ceiling below. Water damage from a roof leak doesn t just create ugly spots on the ceiling and walls. Most homeowners insurance policies help cover water damage if the cause is sudden and accidental. Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak.

Identifying roofing system leaks. Even if the roof leak is caused by a windstorm or a tree. Moisture leads to mold and mold spreads. If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures.

Accordingly in most cases when water damage is sustained as a result of a flood windstorm roof or window failure or even a leak emanating from an upstairs unit the roof or an exterior wall. If there signs of water damage or dripping water coming from the ceiling that is directly below an attic space or directly below the roof surface itself there is almost no question that the true cause is a hole or other type of damage in the shingles or other roofing material that make up the roof system. Roof leak repairs must be make immediately. Worse mold can be deadly so it s important to prevent it from growing from the start.

You don t want them sagging or collapsing. So remove affected ceiling panels or boards first. Contact your condo association to let them know of any water damage that originated outside your unit whether it was due to a leaky roof or a neighbor s overflowing washing machine. A standard homeowners insurance policy will cover water damage and roof leaks unless they re the result of gross negligence on your part.

Ceilings exposed to water damage are more at risk due to gravity. Unlike a drippy faucet a dripping ceiling cannot wait. The leaking water also will damage paint and plaster on nearby walls.