When you think about a roof leak, you probably think of water staining on the ceiling, water dripping onto the floor below, and the classic "metal bucket" catching water from the cartoons of old. However, when your roof springs a leak it can affect areas FAR worse than the ceiling, costing you large amounts of money and (sometimes) requiring extensive remodeling work for your home. When you're tempted to skip your routine roof inspection, or put off the suggested repairs by your roofer, remember:

• A roof leak can damage your HVAC system. Many times, Florida home builders put the air handler for the AC system in the attic, since we don't often have basements and the attic is out of the way (and hidden). Because of this, the heart of your AC system could be at risk if your roof starts leaking. Your first sign would likely be your system shorting out, and it's no fun being left with no AC AND a leaking roof. What's more, water damage to your AC unit may or may not be repairable, and you could be facing a whole new system installation. That's a lot of $$$ for one little leak.

• Roof leaks can travel into the walls. Your first noticeable water accumulation might not actually be on the ceiling if your roof starts leaking. If the leak is occurring above a major wall, you could actually end up with damage to flooring or carpet, drywall, trim, and more. Even worse, many times by the time it's noticeable, the damage is done. You could likely have damage to your wall studs, mold growth, and more. The cost of replacement and remediation of these issues is far beyond what the roof repair would have cost initially.

• Damage to irreplaceable items. Let's face it, your attic often holds precious items. Heirloom pieces, holiday decor passed down from childhood, tokens and trinkets from your own children, and more. If your roof leaks, these items will be hit first, and that's something your insurance policy can't replace. Protecting your possessions starts by protecting your home and your roof.

EZ Roofing Systems provides top-quality roof inspection, repair, and replacement to communities throughout Central Florida. With years of experience, a fully licensed and insured team, and a brand built on integrity and respect for our customers, we're your go-to when it's time to take care of your roof. Call us to schedule your estimate!

Whenever a homeowner sees water in an unexpected or unwanted place in their home, panic is usually the first response. After all, it's common knowledge that water damage, even in small amounts, can be responsible for long-term issues like mold and mildew, degradation of materials (like wallboard and studs), and even destroy large portions of your home over the years. Because of this, water leaks are a frequent culprit of emergency calls to plumbers or contractors, and while they are often the right people to call, sometimes a leak might not be as it appears.

Here are some common household issues and leaks that just might (unexpectedly) be coming from your roof:

Moisture Damage Above A Shower or Bathtub

While it's easy to immediately blame the wet environment (which more often than not is accurate), damaged drywall in a bathroom or area exposed to frequent moisture might not always be coming from the inside. Sagging, cracking, water staining, etc. could be coming from moisture damage tricking down from a hidden leak in your roof. Moisture can drip and eventually find its way through attic flooring and/or insulation and travel down to the ceiling below. If it's a small leak, it can take time for the damage to present itself, and might not look like a catastrophic flood that you'd expect from a roof leak.

Water Stains Under Bathroom Floors

Again, while the most likely culprit is a leaking pipe, shower floor/drain, or poorly installed materials in a bathroom, water staining on the ceiling below any upstairs bathrooms (or kitchens for that matter) could actually be due to a roof issue if you come up short on answers after all other contractors have taken a look. If your roof is leaking, water won't always make a straight trip downward. It will take the path of least resistance, and depending on the setup in your attic or the space directly under your roof, it could end up traveling to an outside wall or along pipes/ductwork and make it's way down to your ceiling. Again, this scenario isn't the most likely, but it is possible, and important to know.

Floor Leaks

If you find water on the floor but no damage on the ceiling, it can't possibly be from your roof...can it? Actually, it can. As mentioned above, water will take the easiest path downward thanks to gravity, so if you have a roof leak, specifically if it's near an exterior wall, the water could in fact come down and find it's way out along floor boards in the lowest level of your home. Mistakenly identified as a pipe leaking in the wall, or worse, a cracked foundation leaking up through the floor, these sneaky leaks could cost you a lot in exploratory work, which is why you need to know to call in the pros to check the roof before you start cutting into walls and ceilings.

The best way to make sure your roof is in the best shape possible, and unlikely to be the culprit of surprise leaks, is by investing in annual roof inspections and maintenance. By getting a yearly "check-up", you don't have damage going unnoticed for long periods of time, and anything that does go wrong with your roof can be repaired before it leads to bigger problems on the interior of your house. EZ Roofing Systems has all of your needs covered, from quick and efficient inspection, diagnostic and repair services, to full roof re-do and installation. Give us a call for your estimate!