Harsh winter seasons will come and go, but a well-maintained roof can withstand these winter cycles without compromising performance. A well-maintained roof will demand little or no preparation when winter is around the corner. All you need to do is identify the most common winter problems likely to affect your roof and address them early before the winter season. Here are some common winter roofing problems and how to avoid them.
Ice Dams
Ice dams are among winter’s most dangerous roofing problems for people and your roof’s structural integrity. They form when the snow at the top of your roof melts and runs down to the edge where the temperatures are low, forcing it to freeze. Ice dams will most likely form on a roof with inadequate attic insulation that allows warm air to escape from the house to the roof, melting the snow.
Once ice dams form, they sit along the edge of your roofing system and gutters, causing immense weight and pressure. This pressure can compromise the structural integrity of your roof and pose safety risks for people living in the house. Keep your attic well-insulated to prevent the formation of ice dams. Ensure you remove accumulated snow from your roof and keep your gutters free from obstruction.
Condensation
Condensation occurs when warm air inside your home rises and hits a cold surface. The rising heat and moisture reach the attic space to meet oncoming cold air from outside, which cools it down. The moisture in the warm air then condenses and turns into mist or water droplets that you might mistake for a leaking roof.
The whole condensation problem is majorly caused by poorly insulated attics. In colder winter months, the roof tends to be cooler than the inside of your home, further accelerating the problem. If left unattended, condensation can lead to mold growth and the spread of damaging dampness. You can solve this problem by maintaining a well-ventilated and well-insulated attic, which helps reduce the risk of condensation accumulating on your roof.
Tree Branches
For successful roofing maintenance, you must take care of low-hanging tree branches that pose significant risks to roofs, especially in winter. During winter, these low-hanging branches can trap snow and ice, making them heavy and increasing their chances of breaking. When these branches fall on top of your roof, they can cause major damage that can compromise your roof’s structural integrity.
Even trees not so close to your roof can be risky if the ice and snow weight cause them to fall off entirely. Before winter, it’s important to inspect all the trees close to your home for disease, decline, infestations, and any other potential weaknesses and remove the weak ones on time. You can do this alone or hire a professional team to inspect the trees and prune off dangerously hanging branches to reduce the risk of catastrophe during a storm.
Leaking Flashing
A typical summer rain can cause enough problems to your home if you have a leaking chimney flashing on your roof. It gets worse in winter if the problem isn’t solved early enough. The loose flashing will allow water and snow into your roofing materials and structure, leading to several other associated damages.
To solve this problem, occasionally conduct flashing inspections, especially in the fall and winter, to ensure the caulk used to seal the flashing remains intact. If you find any damage, call a specialist for a quick chimney repair and application of new caulking around the chimney.
Dead Matter and Clogged Gutters
Dead matter accumulating on your roof can result from dead leaves, branches, or animals falling on it. If not removed early, the dead matter can clog your gutters and rooftop crevices and corners, causing a drainage problem during winter. These clogged gutters will block water back up onto the roof, causing water damage that might escalate to a more expensive repair with time.
The dead matter on the roof might also collect moisture and cause leaks in the shingles underneath them, causing damage to your ceiling and other roofing materials. You can easily prevent damage from dead matter accumulating on your roof and gutters by regularly cleaning your roof.
Wind Damage
Many homeowners focus on snow and ice when preparing their homes and roofs for winter. However, the wind storm that precedes the heavy winter rain can be as destructive as the snow and ice accumulation on your roof. High-speed winds can penetrate weak spots on your roof, tearing off flashing, removing shingles, and leaving you with a weak roofing system.
Planting trees at a safe distance from your roof or using landscaping windbreaks can help reduce wind speeds and protect your roof. You should also schedule inspections as soon as possible after a wind storm to catch any damage early for quick fixing.
As one of the most critical elements of your home, your roof needs constant maintenance to keep it in good shape all seasons. If you’ve faced any of these challenges, now you know how to overcome or at least prepare for them.
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