Although you might take your roof for granted, you should be aware of the fact that it does experience a lot of wear and tear over the years. This is especially true during the winter season when the weather can be particularly hard on your roof. Because of this, it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected following winter. Doing so will allow you to address minor damage before it grows into a major problem. Regular maintenance like this will also help ensure that your roof lasts for as long as possible. With that in mind, the following are four ways that winter can be hard on your roof:
Shingles often become more vulnerable to damage in general during the winter as a result of the cold temperatures. When this happens, they can crack or break, leaving the roof vulnerable to water leaks. This can lead to water damage to the roof or to the inside of the home when it rains or when it snows (snow will settle on the roof and eventually melt if the temperatures outside rise to a certain point).
Ice damming can also occur. This occurs when a layer of snow sits on the roof and the outdoor temperatures are cold enough to keep the snow from melting. However, the heat that you’re producing inside of your home rises up, melting the bottom layer of snow. What happens is that this layer of snow turns into water, but is trapped by the snow above it. The water has nowhere to go, so it just sits there, eventually leaking in through the roof and causing damage.
The wind can get quite strong during the winter season. This is especially true if your area is hit by a winter storm. The wind can grow strong enough to rip shingles and flashing from your roof, leaving your roof exposed to potential water, snow, and ice damage. Additionally, the wind can carry debris into your roof, potentially breaking or puncturing your shingles or causing other types of damage.
The weight of snow can cause damage to your roof, especially during heavy snowfall. The longer it sits on your roof, the more stress it causes to the roof itself. If your roof is already vulnerable in some areas, this could cause problems. However, the area most prone to potential snow damage is your gutter system. Depending on the quality and age of your gutters, the weight of the snow could cause them to sag or pull away from the roof.
The formation of ice on your roof can cause a lot of issues. First of all, if it rains or if any snow gets into the crevices and cracks throughout your roof and then melts, there’s a risk that this water will freeze over when temperatures drop (such as at night). When water seeps into your shingles and then freezes, it will expand, which can cause the shingles to crack.
These are four ways that winter can be hard on your roof. Once winter ends, make sure that you schedule an inspection of your roof, especially if you suspect that it may have experienced some damage as a result of the winter weather. To schedule a roof inspection or to address recent roof damage, contact us at All-Nu Construction today.