Winter Roofing Issues

The New England winter weather can be especially hard on your roof. With all of the snow, ice, freezing, and thawing can create several problems that may lead to costly roofing repairs if not adequately addressed.

We have provided you with common roofing problems that you might face this winter season:

• Flashing Leaks: Flashings are the strips of metal that are placed along the front edge, corners and ridges of your roof and around your chimney and skylights. If not installed properly, or during a violent storm, they can start to pull away from your roofing material and lead to water leaks. Inspect your flashings about every six months to help prevent this from becoming a problem
• Condensation: When warm air meets a cold surface, condensation will occur. Unfortunately, an improperly insulated attic is a prime candidate for the formation of condensation, which can lead to mold and mildew, damaging the interior structure of your home. To prevent condensation, ensure your attic is properly ventilated. Inadequate ventilation can damage your roof, the decking and encourage ice dams and shorten your roof’s overall lifespan by half.
• Tree Limbs: IF you have lived in New England during a winter then you have probably seen the damage that tree limbs and fallen trees can do. So if you have several trees in your yard then you’re privy to some of the dangers that large trees can cause. Overhanging tree limbs can scrape at the surface of your roof and damage its protective top layer. Or if branches end up falling onto your roof that can cause problems too. You will want to protect your home and family, and make sure to trim any branches that come within six feet of your roof.
• Ice Dams: result when the upper areas of an icy roof begin to thaw, and the lower perimeter areas are still frozen. Melting ice and snow from the warmer sections of the roof flows down and re-freezes on the lower sections and gutters, creating an ice dam. As water pools behind the dam, it’s likely to leak into your home through cracks and joints in the roofing material, causing damage. There isn’t any way to eliminate the possibility of ice dams completely. Although, with proper insulation and a good attic ventilation system they can be minimized.
• Strong Winds: When wind speeds pick up enough they can start to loosen up shake and asphalt shingles. If you notice shingles or other parts of your roof on the ground, contact us as soon as possible to have those shingles replaced before more damage occurs.