How Does Winter Affect Your Roof?

With winter coming soon, your home will have to stand up to a whole new set of challenges. Wind, snow, and hail will be the biggest dangers for any roof. A sturdy and well-built roof should be able to take what the bad weather has to throw at it. However, it’s important to be aware of what kind of damage can occur with different seasonal effects. A little preparedness goes a long way towards avoiding the need for a roof replacement!

Winter Snows

Whether it is just a series of snowy days or the occasional snowstorm, that fluffy white stuff can cause a lot of damage to your roof. What are some issues to look out for when it snows?

The sheer weight of snow building up after a storm can cause damage to the roof.
Ice can clog up the gutters bending the metal and causing leaks.
Ice dams can also melt partially and seep underneath the shingles where it refreezes.

Hailstorms

Thankfully, hail doesn’t occur often or even in large enough quantities to damage the home. When it does happen, you may find some roof damage afterwards. What are some of the issues that hail causes?

Large or fast hitting hail can cause dents and holes in the roof.
Hailstorms also wear down asphalt shingles causing them to lose their protective granules.
Hail clogs up the gutters or dents them and tears them away from the roof.

High Winds

It seems like every fall, there is a seasonal transition period when high winds sweep through the area. Even during winter, wind can accompany every storm for months thus doing a lot of damage to your roof. What damage does wind do?

Wind can lift up and bend shingles compromising their ability to stop rain.
It tears shingles, flashing, and ridge caps off the roof exposing the decking underneath.
The wind can also knock tree branches and other debris down, which falls on your roof.

Moisture and Condensation

An additional concern is the potential for moisture to build up in the air inside your home or to seep inside through small cracks. If your attic doesn’t have adequate ventilation, condensation can build upon the inside walls and roof. This will lead to moisture damage, encourage mold growth, and weaken the wood. It’s a good idea to periodically check your attic in winter to make sure it’s dry.

When to Call a Roofing Contractor?

If you have concerns about any of these seasonal effects of winter, consider getting a professional roofing contractor to inspect the roof. RJW Exteriors is a New Jersey roofing company that provides comprehensive roofing services since 1994. Give us a call or fill out our online form to get started with a free cost estimate for a roof repair right away.