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WINTER ROOF DAMAGE
Days that reach sub-freezing temperatures can do the most damage to your roof, some of which may not be apparent right away. Below are several common roofing issues that you should be aware of before the winter months.
Icicles
Icicles can create significant stress on a roof including asphalt shingles to loosen or dislodge, gutters to sag or break and damage to the chimney and vents. A useful chore is to grab a broom or shovel and break up the icicles before they can get too large and compromise the integrity of the roof. If there is an icicle that continues to get bigger it can be a danger to people as well, grab a ladder and slowly dislodge it by hand. You don’t want to be standing under it.
These ice forms can destroy the gutter system and can even cause enough damage to require a roof replacement. As with other winter preparation, it’s best to have a roof inspection, gutter maintenance, and roof repair performed before the winter season to check for anything that may be loose.
Wind Damage
Winter winds can cause significant damage. If you have trees, and especially large trees with branches overhanging the roof, be prepared to keep the roofing material cleared of debris. Strong winds can result in missing asphalt shingles on your roof, large debris (for example tree limbs) falling on your roof, leaks, peeling, chimney problems, and more. High wind speeds can cause damage to your roof by lifting the roofing material and breaking the seals creating water leaks and leaky flashing.
It’s best to have a roof inspection done by a roof repair service before winter so they can identify and replace any weakened shingles. You can also start by climbing up on your roof and removing any debris that you see. A strong enough wind can get a tree branch caught under shingles and either loosen or dislodge them. Next, walk your property and keep an eye out for any potential threats, such as dead tree branches, and remove them or have them removed before they can become a problem.
Roof Leaks
No list of common roof problems would be complete without listing leaks. Homeowners should stay up-to-date with the age and condition of their roof. This includes not letting debris remain on the roof, including fall leaves and tree limbs that may come down in winter storms. Also, not just shingles should be considered, but other roofing materials as well such as the flashing. The flashing is the aluminum formed sheeting that connects other roofing elements, for example in the roof valleys, and remember flashing can wear out more quickly than roofing shingles, and the caulking sealant even faster than that.
If you notice a roof leak, climb up onto the roof and cover up the leaking area as quickly as possible. Since you have a sloped roof you can do this by tacking down a tarp that is stretched up and over the roof crest. But, always be extremely careful when on a wet or icy roof. Contact an emergency roof repair service, then go inside your home/attic to stop the water from spreading. You might not realize that you have a roof leak until you notice significant water damage forming and it’s important to act as soon as you see the signs to prevent mold growth.
Ice Dams
Even an inch of snow is enough to create ice dams and do some damage to your roof and gutter system. Vents must be kept clear since lack of proper ventilation can create additional problems. Whenever you run your heater in the winter, the hot air will rise (as it always does) to the top of your home. Eventually, that will lead to your roof, creating warmer sections and besides melting snow and ice can lead to the formation of condensation inside your attic. With warm air and sun, melted snow will then make its way down to the edge of your roof and refreeze, causing what’s known as an “ice dam”. Cold sunny days following a storm create ideal conditions for this. As ice dams build they backup water behind them and water can be pulled up and over the underside of the shingles by capillary action. The best way to prevent this is by venting your attic (more so than it is already) or sweep off the snow before it can start the ice damming process.
Attic Condensation
Without proper attic ventilation, warm moist air will condense on any cold surface and form water droplets. Over time this can become one of the most serious and least apparent of winter roofing issues. Lack of proper insulation and condensation over time can compromise the structure. Having the right number of vents, that are the right size and in the right places is critically important. If you have a condensation problem in your attic, make sure the bathroom fans are vented to the outside and if necessary, add additional vents.
The only way to prevent a roof problem is with routine maintenance from a trained and licensed professional.
The Best Way to Protect Your Roof Through the Winter
At the end of the day, the key to protecting your roof and home is to simply keep an eye on it and make sure to investigate whenever you suspect there could be damage. Winter has it’s way of making any small issues worse so it is best to contact a local roofing professional to make sure your roof is in good shape before winter arrives.
Do a Ground-Level Check for Roof Damage
Walk around the home before you get up on it. A quick visual ground-level check can reveal plenty of issues.
Look out for:
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Uneven sloping
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Lifting areas
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Missing shingles
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Dents
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Depressions
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Green slime, moss, dark patches, or plant growths
You can spot issues without having to get up on your roof. If you want to do a closer rooftop inspection on your own, make sure to do this safely. We don’t recommend going onto your roof if you suspect damage, but if you do please always adhere to best ladder safety practices.
Shingle Damage or Missing Pieces
Look out for missing, loose, damaged, or aging shingles. Start out with a quick check for anything that’s missing. Then look for areas that are loose, curling, cracking, or lifted up. This can be a sign of normal aging. But damage and accelerated aging can happen from high winds, hail, and debris. Do a closer inspection to spot any granule loss on your shingles. Look for bald patches and general weathering that need repairing. This is often caused by hail, debris, piling snow, and abrasive ice. Your shingles will lose granules over time. But excessive loss over several shingles means that unacceptable damage occurred at some point.
Moss and Algae
Notice anything dark or green up there? This could be either moss or algae growing on your roof or within the structures. Both of which are bad news. Moss does a lot of damage to roofs. They can grow underneath and in-between the shingles, causing them to lift up, curl, separate, and accumulate water. You can then expect to have missing shingles, along with mold, bacterial growths, and structural decay. Algae growth usually looks like black or dark-colored discoloration, spots, or streaks across the roof. Algae spores are spread by the wind and your rooftop is a perfect environment for it to grow on. Algae isn’t as damaging as moss, but it will compromise the roof’s visual appearance and surface. Plant growths must be immediately and carefully removed. Every piece needs to be taken out and your roof will need special treatments applied to make sure none grows back. Make sure to check the darker areas of your roof carefully. If you see any plant life, call up a professional to get it taken care of.
Pooling Water
If a rooftop area was dented or sunk under the weight of ice or snow, you may end up with pooling water. Water can then make its way under the shingles and into the home’s structure where it can damage your home’s electrical wiring, insulation, wood, and other materials.
Debris
See any branches, limbs, or debris on your roof? Winter winds can fling these around. This is a sure sign that you may have surface damage like granule loss, loose shingles, or missing pieces. You need to examine the entire surface but pay close attention to areas with debris.
Roofing Component Damage
Remember to check the roofing components for damage.
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Flashing: damaged, loose, or unsecured
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Facia: warping
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Caulking: cracked, missing, or peeling caulk
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Eavestroughs and downspouts: loose, out of place, or bulging
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Gutter seams: opened or peeling
Vent and Chimney Integrity
If you can safely get to these areas, do a check around your roof vent, chimney, and any other rooftop structures. Make sure the seals, caulking, and cement around these areas are in good condition. You can also check to make sure nothing got cracked or chipped over winter.
Clogged Gutters
Winter’s debris, dirt, grit, and loose items can find their way to your gutters. Once this happens, your gutters can become damaged or simply blocked up. Always get your gutters cleaned out in early spring to make sure they are clear and in good working condition for rainy weather.