Keeping the Rain Where It Belongs: An Homage to Roofs

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Understanding The Winter Weather Damage Facing Your Roof

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As a new homeowner in an area that receives extreme winter weather, you may have a few roofing concerns. The issue is, if you are not accustomed to the winter weather, you may not know what will even cause issues with your roof. Here are some of the winter weather issues and damages that can lead to needing residential roof repair. By understanding each of these, you can make a more ideal choice for the roofing material and maintenance steps you want to take. 

Winter Winds

One of the leading ways that winter weather can damage your roof and cause the need for residential roof repair, is through winter winds. The heavy winds can cause damage to the shingles by lifting them. When they are lifted, they can become ripped or torn. They can also expose the roofing construction underneath. This exposure can lead to further damage, tears in the membrane, and water reaching the wood and trusses underneath. This leads to leaks and can damage everything from your exterior roofing area to your interior insulation and attic space. 

Ice Formation

Ice is something that some homeowners do not consider when it comes to winter roofing damage. The truth is that ice can cause several levels of damage depending on your temperature and how fast the temperature falls and rises. When water accumulates on your roof, it may have fallen on a torn or damaged area of shingles. If the water on or inside that area freezes it will expand the already cracked and damaged wood and roofing. When the ice melts, it will leave the water in these areas causing further damage and wood rot. This process only becomes worse if the ice melts and refreezes over time. 

Snow Melting and Refreezing

As snow and ice melts, it turns to a liquid. This liquid can settle into cracks in the wood, rips and cracks in the shingles, and cracks in the membrane of the roof. The water slowly creeps into the areas causing wood rot and water damage. When the water that has not dried refreezes, due to the temperature dropping, it can cause further cracks depending on how much the ice expands and where the expansion occurs. This can lead to heavy leaks and softening of the wood as the snow melts at the end of the season or cold weather front. 

These are just a few of the winter weather issues that can cause roofing damage and lead to residential roof repair. If you believe you will experience any of these issues this year, contact your area roofing contractor. They can help you with answers to your questions and perform and inspection on your roof. The roofing inspection will help them determine if there are any issues you should handle immediately and what options you have for winter weather in the future.


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