Roofs are exposed to natural elements such as wind throughout the year. But, the weather conditions during winter are significantly harsher. The snow, ice, and freezing temperatures increase the risk of roof damage.
To protect your roof from excessive damage, you need to identify potential problems during winter. That way, you can address the problem early enough and prevent further damage. Take a look at some of these winter roofing problems and how to solve them.
1. Condensation
Roof condensation occurs when heated air in your home meets the cold air on your roof. The instant cooling causes condensation. During condensation, moisture is somehow trapped, and your roof begins to absorb it. As a result, you may notice mold and rot on some sections of your roof.
Roof condensation mainly occurs during the cold season when your heating system creates intense heat in your home. Though this problem could start in the attic, condensation can quickly spread throughout the rest of your roof. Fortunately, you can prevent roof condensation by ensuring proper attic ventilation and installing roofing insulation material.
Contact a licensed roofing service if you suspect condensation issues on your roof. Usually, minor moisture control tactics would suffice. However, if your roof is already damaged, they could suggest a replacement instead.
2. Ice Dams
When the top part of your roof surface is warm, the increased temperature melts the snow. However, if the lower part of your roof is cold, the melted snow will freeze and create an ice dam. Typically, ice dams form at the edge of your roof. You can expect more ice dams to form after a massive snowstorm.
The accumulated ice puts pressure on your shingles. As a result, your shingles begin to weaken and break down faster. With broken shingles, you will notice visible cracks on your roof. These cracks are the passages that allow water to leak into your home. Unfortunately, roofing leaks could cause damage to your ceiling, floor, and walls.
To prevent ice dams, ensure proper roof ventilation. Ask your roofing contractor to seal off all cracks and remove built-up snow from your roof. Though these measures could work if you decide to perform them yourself, working on your roof during the winter is dangerous. Always work with a certified roofing company to handle complex tasks like installing heat cables and replacing a leaky roof.
3. Strong Winds
Wind storms are pretty common during winter. They often tear, break, and loosen shingles. Roof flashings, rakes, and ridges are also likely to suffer damage due to strong winds in winter. The damage may get worse if there is a hailstorm. Hail weakens shingles and makes it easy for the wind to blow your shingles away.
Missing or damaged shingles make your roof vulnerable to leaks and widespread roof damage. So once the winter season sets in, contact an experienced roofer. They can inspect your shingles and replace any damaged parts of your roof. For more information, contact a company like New Roof.
Share22 December 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.
