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5 COMMON PROBLEMS IN THE FALL & WINTER
Winter Hates Your Roof
Howling winds, snow, and ice are all enemies of your roof! Between them, they can cause a host of problems that make fall and winter a nightmare! However, if you know what to look for, you can stop major problems from developing.
1. Strong Winds
Strong winds can loosen asphalt shingles or blow them off roofs. Loss of shingle coverage can allow water to flow into your home. If you find shingles in your yard after a storm or notice missing shingles on your roof, you should call a Professional immediately.
2. Flashing Damage
Flashing is the metal strips that protect the corners and peaks of a roof. They are also placed on the front edge of a roof and around skylights and chimneys. Winter storms can damage flashing causing it to peel away from your roof. If this happens, water leaks are sure to follow. After a storm, take a few moments to check your flashing for damage.
3. Ice Dams
As winter progresses, snow and/or ice can mount up on your roof. During the day, as temperatures rise, melting occurs. In a perfect scenario, melting water flows off your roof and is evacuated by gutters. However, if your gutters are blocked by debris or water has frozen in your downspouts, ice dams can form. This is a serious problem. When water remains on your roof and refreezes, significant damage can occur. Shingles can be pushed off or even worse, damage to your roof deck or underlayment can occur allowing water to seep into your home. Water dams can also block ventilation spaces in your attic causing condensation to form. If not handled promptly, condensation is an invitation for mold to form.
4. Trees
While tall trees are a beautiful adornment to a yard, if they are close to your home, they can cause considerable damage. Winter winds can cause branches to repeatedly hit roofs, causing damage to shingles and flashing. Strong winds can break weakened limbs off trees. Should one fall on a roof, they can cause damage to your underlayment or roof decking, causing thousands of dollars in repairs. If you have trees that tower over your roof, it is in your best interest to get them trimmed back.
5. Icicles
While icicles are beautiful, they can be a danger to people walking underneath. While this problem can be avoided by keeping a safe perimeter, it doesn’t solve the damage they can cause to a roof. Icicles grow through the day/night warming and cooling process. They can become heavy enough that they harm roofs and gutters. They can also cause ice dams to form. The best way to prevent icicles from forming is to keep your gutters clean and allow your downspouts to transfer water unimpeded.
While winter weather in and of itself is dangerous to your roof, it is the ice and snow that covers it, that makes detection of winter problems so difficult. Usually, it’s too late when they make themselves known.
CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – 202-276-5004 FAMILY.ROOFING@YAHOO.COM
Strong winds can loosen asphalt shingles or blow them off roofs. Loss of shingle coverage can allow water to flow into your home. If you find shingles in your yard after a storm or notice missing shingles on your roof, you should call a Professional immediately.
While tall trees are a beautiful adornment to a yard, if they are close to your home, they can cause considerable damage. Winter winds can cause branches to repeatedly hit roofs, causing damage to shingles and flashing. Strong winds can break weakened limbs off trees. Should one fall on a roof, they can cause damage to your underlayment or roof decking, causing thousands of dollars in repairs. If you have trees that tower over your roof, it is in your best interest to get them trimmed back.