There is little that can destroy your house faster than a fire that starts on your roof.
A roof fire is one of the dangerous hazards you could face as a homeowner, so finding ways to prevent one is essential to the safekeeping of your home.
Preventing a devastating fire starts with good roof maintenance and timely roof repairs when you need them.
Beyond that, recognize the top 5 causes of roof fires so you can take the necessary steps to reduce your chance of having one.
1. Faulty Wiring in the Attic
In most homes, the attic space is filled with wiring and other components as it's a great way to keep all safe and hidden from sight.
Out of sight does not necessarily mean out of mind when it comes to electrical wiring considering that electrical shorts and other wiring issues are one of the top causes of roof fires that end up destroying homes or causing significant damage that requires extensive roof repair.
It’s essential that you have your attic wiring inspected periodically to prevent this kind of fire.
2. Improperly Installed Attic Insulation
Good insulation is an important element to promote effective home efficiency; however, it must be applied carefully or it could become a fire hazard.
Insulation applied over electrical wires and junction boxes or too close to HVAC vents can overheat and ignite quite easily, setting the whole top of the house on fire.
Prevent fires by paying careful attention when insulation is going in, then inspect and maintain it regularly.
3. HVAC In the Attic
HVAC heating ductwork is another source of attic fires that can destroy your roof and potentially your entire home.
Heating ducts and vents collect a lot of dust and lint over time, which can ignite if it gets hot enough; any fire within the ducts can then ignite the insulation or other components in the attic.
Make HVAC cleaning and inspection a regular part of your roof maintenance task list to prevent HVAC-sourced attic fires and keep your home safe.
4. Leaky Roofs
Leaks can do a lot more damage to your home than what you might expect, which is why prompt roof repair to correct them is so important.
Water leaking into your attic can drip onto electrical wires and into junction boxes, causing a short that ignites insulation and other materials up there.
This is another reason why proper maintenance and regular roofing inspections are so important.
5. Poor Choice of Roofing Materials
There is no stopping Mother Nature when it comes to things like storms that bring lightning strikes, wildfires, and other types of fires that can end up affecting your home.
The wrong materials on your roof will do little to prevent it from catching on fire in such instances.
If you live in a storm or wildfire prone area or there are other nearby fire risks, a good way to protect your home is to install fire-resistant materials like metal, ceramic, tile, or shingles with high fire-resistance ratings.
Wood and other materials that can catch fire easily are the worst choices.
Prevent Roof Loss to Fire by Knowing the Causes
A fire that starts in your attic or on your roof has the potential to completely destroy your home.
Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of this kind of fire.
Keep up with good home and roof maintenance as well as have necessary roof repairs done quickly and correctly so you face fewer fire-starting hazards!
