Without a doubt, the most difficult season for a roof is winter. Even the most durable roofing systems might be damaged by the weather patterns of the winter months. It’s critical to be aware of any potential issues your roof may have this winter to prevent more severe roofing issues.
Knowing the most common roof problems during the winter is also the first step to taking preventive measures to avoid them from happening on your roof.
Always be a step ahead. Tune in to this article until the end to learn the common roof problems during the winter and the simple things you can do to fix them.
8 Common Roof Problems During Winter
Your roof is crucial in defending your house from the weather, including snow and ice. The strains of winter weather can strain a roof to its breaking point. You should watch out for the top eight common winter roofing problems below.
Ice Dams On Roofs
Ice damming happens when heat from the attic escapes through the top of the roof and not the entire surface. When this occurs, snow melts as it approaches the roof’s borders or edges before freezing again. These ice dams can lead to several issues, including gutter blockage, extra weight on the roof edge, and strain upon the roof shingles.
Fill socks, pantyhose, or stockings with calcium chloride deicer, then put them all along the edge of the roof to safely clear ice dams. Calcium chloride helps ice dams melt more quickly by lowering the freezing point of water. Ice dams can also be broken up into manageable pieces using an ice dam remover tool.
Heavy Snow Load
Winter roofing problems can be disastrous, but fortunately, they aren’t very common. The word “snow load” describes how much-added weight from snow the roof can support.
When a blizzard repeatedly drops snow on a portion of the roof, the additional weight can seriously harm the structure. In rare circumstances, an enormous snow load might cause a roof collapse.
It could be time to determine whether you need a new roof if your house is older. It is preferable to get heavy snow cleared as soon as possible to ensure that your roof will remain sturdy throughout the winter.
Flashing Leaks
Winter poses an equal, if not greater, a threat to the thin metal strips that guard the most exposed areas of sloping residential roofing systems. Nevertheless, the flashings may have deteriorated by the time winter arrives even lightly packed snow can remove them.
Once the flashings start showing wear and tear symptoms, it’s a smart option to have them inspected and changed. This prevents leaks that can harm the roof throughout the winter.
Strong Winter Winds
Strong winds can pull the shingles from a roof at any time of the year. However, more than any other season, ferocious winter winds have a record for accomplishing that to your roof.
The tiles will be able to remain firm if your roof is in good condition, but they are extremely at risk if your roof is old. Check your yard for any loose shingles following a severe winter wind event.
Although homeowners cannot stop high winter winds, it is crucial to inspect your roof following a serious weather condition thoroughly. Call a qualified roofing contractor to inspect your roof if you notice any spots where shingles have been partially or completely removed.
Icicles
Icicles on the corners of your roof may appear cool, but they can harm you and your house. A leak or damage to your roofing materials may result from melting water that seeps beneath your shingles. Your gutters may buckle, break, or even rip away from the house due to the additional weight and stress that icicles place on them.
You can utilize the de-icing technique to get rid of icicles. Using a wheeled rake is another option for gently removing icicles, but allow yourself enough space to avoid having them fall on you.
Condensation
One of the most frequent winter roofing problems that go unnoticed by property owners is condensation brought on by insufficient ventilation. Warm internal air in contact with the chilly bottom of a roof susceptible to winter weather results in condensation. It may result in the development of mold and mildew, as well as a musty odor.
Proper roof ventilation is the best defense against condensation on the roof. Ventilation installation enables maximum airflow. Regulating the amount of heated air that comes into touch with the cold roof prevents condensation.
Tree Branches
Weather conditions are always a factor when it comes to roofing. For instance, a property with many tall trees is one where tree limbs present additional risk to roofing materials. Tree limbs can pull up shingles, expose the damp underside, and scrape the rough surface of asphalt shingles. Even roofing materials can be pierced by large tree limbs dropping from a considerable distance.
Trimming trees in the summer and fall is a simple way to prevent tree limb damage. Any branches 6 feet or closer to the roof must be pruned appropriately.
Loose And Unrepaired Shingles
Although shingles are made to withstand the environment, loose shingles are a regular issue throughout the winter. Shingles may become loose due to hail, ice, and strong winds.
Your roof is vulnerable to leaks if there are loose or missing shingles. This results in weakness and dampness that may be costly to fix. The simplest method to cross this off your list is to hire an expert to examine your roof and assess the condition of your shingles.
Conclusion
It is essential to contact a qualified roofing contractor to handle the following problems unless you have experience with winter roofing.
Although your roofing system is at risk all year round, winter conditions make it much riskier. A qualified roofing service has the skills and knowledge to repair winter roof problems safely with little danger.
Urtiz Roofing and Waterproofing Company in Liberty Hill, TX, has reliable and high-quality service for all your roofing needs. Avoid winter roofing problems by booking a scheduled inspection with our experts today!
