Take the following steps to fix water damage in your attic.
Water damage plywood attic.
Missing or damaged shingles can permit water to seep in and over time it can lead to wood rot in the roof decking and in the lumber used to frame the attic.
Without intervention you could incur costly damage not to mention hefty repairs and headaches.
Your first goal should be to assess the problem.
If there is no attic or the size of the leak is really big it will damage the interior ceiling.
Water leakage can lead to ceiling spots or leaks stains on interior walls cracked paint or peeling wallpaper.
Water damage is covered if the damage is deemed sudden and internal meaning the cause of water damage came suddenly and from inside the home.
Assess the water damage.
Even if the plywood is rated as exterior grade and manufactured with water proof glue if water penetrates between layers it causes them to swell and warp pulling the layers apart.
One of the most common signs that a roof s decking is damaged is a roof leak.
Both active and inactive mold can produce volatile organic.
Affected ceiling paint will darken and ceiling plaster may bubble and expand.
The leaking water also will damage paint and plaster on nearby walls.
Water damaged drywall wood materials jute wallpaper and cardboard are prone to mold growth when damp.
Damage to the edge of the plywood allows moisture to penetrate into the layers and can cause separations.
If you recently discovered water damage in your attic it s time to take action.
Water in your attic can damage wood.
Prime spots in the attic for wood.
The decision regarding the thickness of plywood to use for the subfloor in the attic has a lot to do with how you intend to use the attic and it also depends on the spacing of the ceiling joists.
In cases where water damage is not obvious use of a humidity sensor and a moisture meter is recommended.
A quick inspection of the attic might uncover dark water stains on the rafters or in the insulation or even light passing through holes in the roof.
Though attics are typically hot and dry a leaky roof or pipe condensation or severe weather can cause water to enter your attic.
How to dry out an attic.
Mold growth tends to follow the pattern of water condensation or leak.
So for example a burst pipe or wind driven rain will be covered but water damage due to neglect or gradual deterioration won t be covered or the residual mold that forms from this.