Replacing a roof is often seen as work that should be done in fair weather. So when homeowners notice their roofs are showing signs of wear in the middle of winter, they often shrug it off and figure they'll get around to it in the spring. But this is not always a smart approach. There are some winter roofing issues that need to be addressed sooner rather than later — or in other words, before the snow stops flying.
Ice Dams
Ice dams are big blocks or chunks of ice that form along the edge of the roof. Sometimes, they may take the form of huge icicles. Ice dams are an issue for two reasons. First, they can cause a lot of damage to shingles in this area. Second, they are a sign that your roof is warmer than it should be — likely because a lot of your home's heat is escaping through the roof. Have a roofing contractor come to add some insulation to the attic, clear the roof vents (and maybe add more), and take a look at the shingles. This should put an end to the ice dams, lower your heating bills and protect the shingles. And if there is shingle damage already, correcting it now, rather than waiting until spring will allow you to avoid leaks in the coming months.
Water in the Attic
Roof leaks often look different in the winter than in the spring or summer. You won't typically get a big gush or stream of water. Instead, it will be a few drops or a trickle. This is because the snow is slowly melting and trickling in; whereas, in the summer, water comes in as it rains down. Homeowners sometimes assume that since winter roof leaks are small, they can wait. But all it takes is one warm day and a rainstorm to bring lots of water into your attic. Have winter roof leaks addressed ASAP, even if they are tiny.
Shingles on the ground
If you go outside and see shingles or parts of shingles on the ground in the winter, you need to call your roof contractor. Once one shingle goes missing, any ice that accumulates in the bare spot will weasel its way under neighboring shingles, turning that one missing shingle into a whole patch of missing shingles. If you act now, you'll only have to have a few shingles replaced. Wait till spring, and you may need a whole new roof.
Winter is not the best season for roofing work, but sometimes roofing work just can't wait. Call a roofing contractor if your roof has any of the above issues,
Share6 January 2021
When it came time to install a new roof on my home, I had no idea where to start. In fact, I was exploring roofing options that were a really poor fit in my climate. It wasn't until I reached out to a local roofer that I got some lessons on how to choose the right roofing material for my home and the weather exposure it is subjected to. I built this site to share my journey, including the mistakes I made and the things that I learned along the way. If you are considering replacing your home's roof, I hope that the information here can help to guide you through the process.
