Attic Water Damage: 2 Main Causes With Prevention Tips

8/27/2021 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO the next time your property has water damage!

Any property owner can experience the unfortunate event of attic water damage.

One of the most devastating things that can happen to a home or business is attic water damage. When attic water damage occurs, you may be left wondering how it started in the first place. To make matters worse, what seemed to be a small water damage situation may have turned into mold growth because an attic environment is a perfect place for mold to grow.

The good news is that attic water damage is preventable by paying attention to key factors like insulation and moisture control. In this blog post, we will discuss the two main causes of attic water damage in detail, so you know what you're up against!

What does attic water damage look like?

Every attic water damage situation will differ depending on the amount of water damage present and how long the damages were left to sit. When an attic experiences water damage, the property will be left with:

Water stains on the ceiling: Dark-colored spots on the ceiling directly below the attic will start to appear.

Wet insulation: Wet insulation will become discolored and absorb water like a sponge, often leaving the attic with an unpleasant odor that may only be remediated by removal.

Wet attic rafters: During an attic water damage situation, the attic rafters will become wet, and without quick attention, attic mold growth will occur because an attics environment encourages moisture retention on the attic rafters when wet.

There are two main causes of attic water damage:

1) Roof leaks: A roof leak can cause severe damage to the attic and the rest of the property. In most cases, a roof leak will go unnoticed until it has caused severe attic water damage.

To prevent attic water damage from a roof leak, you will want to check the roof for any leaks after a heavy rainstorm passes because, during these times, a roofing system will be especially vulnerable to leakage. The best way to check for attic water damage is by physically going up into the attic space after a rainstorm.

Suppose you do not feel comfortable entering the attic space. In that case, you should consider hiring a reputable water damage restoration company like SERVPRO or a professional roofer to inspect your roof and attic for any signs of a roof leak.

2) HVAC leaks: Attic water damage will occur when the property has an HVAC system that leaks inside the attic. An HVAC leak in an attic is more likely to occur in a commercial building, but the professionals at SERVPRO have also seen HVAC systems leak in residential homes.

The best way to prevent an HVAC leak in an attic will be to schedule regular checks of the attic HVAC system.

Who to call for attic water damage?

The number one company to call for attic water damage is SERVPRO of Union, Towns, Fannin & Gilmer Counties. SERVPRO is a highly reputable national restoration company that has been helping property owners since 1967.

The IICRC certified professionals at SERVPRO understand that water damage can be very costly, especially when it occurs in the attic and goes unnoticed for a while. Therefore, when you contact us, we will not only help you mitigate the damages done to the property, but we will also help you with your property insurance claim.

Keep in mind that the best way to prevent water damage in the attic is to check the attic space at least once a month and never let attic water damages sit for a prolonged period because the water damage will turn to mold damage.

Please contact us for any further questions regarding attic water damage prevention!