Most common roofing problems in winter

Winter is the most difficult season for your roof. Most of the roofing problems that develop are a result of the harsh winter weather. Some of them can be prevented, others are out of your control. Here are some of the most common roofing troubles that occur in winter and what you can do about them.

Fallen trees or tree limbs

One of the most common and costly insurance claims in the winter is damage from fallen trees or tree limbs. When larger trees hang precariously over your roof, a strong wind can be it all takes to cause serious damage to your home. This is one of those problems that you can avoid by having a tree removal service take care of any trees or limbs that pose a threat to your home.

Hail damage

Hail damage is another very common and costly form of roof damage. Unfortunately, it’s often not discovered and fixed in a timely manner making the repairs even more expensive when they are performed. Short of paying for impact resisting shingles, there isn’t anything homeowners can do to prevent hail damage. They can prevent more extensive damage by discovering the problem sooner, however. Often, damage from hail isn’t observable from the ground. If you’ve recently had a hail storm, consider having a roofer coming out to inspect your roof. If any hail damage is discovered, call your insurance company and get the process started immediately so your insurance company can work out the details with a roofer and get the problem fixed before the problem gets worse.

Ice dams

Of all of the roofing problems you can experience in the winter, this is the most preventable. Ice dams form when the snow on your roof melts and refreezes at the edges and in your rain gutters. Over time the ice builds up and forms dams. This can cause your rain gutters to pull loose and can also cause gaps in your roof as water gets beneath your shingles and expands and contracts as it refreezes. Ice dams can be caused by clogged rain gutters and by poor insulation in your attic space. To prevent ice dams, simply make sure the insulation in your attic is adequate. If your roof is clear of snow when all of your neighbors’ roofs are not, it’s a good sign you need to replace the insulation. You should also make sure your rain gutters are cleaned out each year just before winter.

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Source: claimsjournal.com/news/national/2014/11/18/257891.htm

Of all of the roofing problems you can experience in the winter, this is the most preventable. Ice dams form when the snow on your roof melts and refreezes at the edges and in your rain gutters. Over time the ice builds up and forms dams.