The annual season of snow, wind and ice can brutalize our home’s exterior, leaving a number of frustrating roofing repairs in its wake. To avoid wet (and expensive) damage to your roof this winter, it’s important to educate yourself on common winter roof problems and take immediate action to save costly, time-consuming damage to your residence.
Problem #1: Roof Leak at Flashing or Drain
Roofs tend to leak in several main locations.
- For sloped roofs, residents may notice a post-storm roof leak at flashing areas—where aluminum is installed to protect roof edges and corners. Improper installation or high winds and rain can loosen flashing, causing it to pull away. Flashing inspections can be conducted prior to winter’s worst storms to ensure that it’s attached well enough to prevent water seepage. Flashing is also relatively inexpensive to replace, so replacing it before a major storm can save you thousands in repairs.
- Homeowners with flat roofs may notice leaks at drain locations. These leaks typically occur because a drain has not been properly maintained. When it becomes clogged with debris, drainage is slowed. Conducting monthly to bi-monthly inspections of drains and terraced areas can help avoid the clogs that lead to more major problems.
Problem #2: Structural Water Damage
Heavy snowstorms or ice buildup keeps your home from heating efficiently, and can cause damage to roofing shingles and trusses, as well. If you live in an area with severe winter weather, consider asking a qualified roofing professional about installing an attic ventilation system. Attic vents help to circulate air in and out of your home’s attic, reducing interior condensation and preventing snow and ice from remaining on your roof for long periods. As mentioned in our previous blogs, proper roofing ventilationcan save homeowners hundreds a year on their utility bills, as well.
Problem #3: Ice Damming
When snow and ice accumulate in gutters and along roof ridges, melting water is unable to drain properly. As water backs up behind these ice dams, it can seep under flashing or penetrate your roof shingles, tiles, ceilings and walls—leading to major water damage. To prevent ice dams from ruining your home’s exterior and interior, remove snow from the roof using a roof rake (if it’s a safe option).
In the long-term, it’s important to seal air leaks between your roof and attic, increase roofing insulation and ensure that your ceiling is air tight.
In Conclusion
Being aware of common winter problems, continually maintaining your home’s roof during fall and winter and a regular roof inspection can help you avoid a roof leak, costly roof repair—or even an entire roof replacement.
Don’t risk costly damage. Ask LGC Roofing to assess your home for potential leaks, ice dams and ventilation problems this winter, and plan to schedule regular winter maintenance in order to protect your home’s exterior and save time—and cash.
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13 Comments
Great Blog with some good points on how to prevent ice dams. Another option to consider is the easy retrofit of a Thermal Technologies roof deicing system for a home’s roof eaves and valley’s. It will permanently solve any ice dam issues cause by heat loss from the home, radiant heat from the sun, difficult exposure, poor architectural designs…. the list goes on. There can be many challenges to trying to fix a poorly designed home and attic structure.
A roof leakage is one of the most common challenges faced by homeowners. When the roof leaks, a variety of problems can follow, from infestations of mold and mildew to damaged foundations. Many times a roof leakage can be repaired
We always choose metal roofing instead of ceramic roofing because we believe that metal roofs last longer..”-
TWhen I first landed on the site, i was impressed by the layout and design. Once I started looking around, i found the information to be even better. Great Website.
Good points. We’ve been thinking about installing an attic ventilation system of some sort to help with the airflow, both in summer and winter times. You’ve just made me finally decide to do it!
Thank you everyone for your comments!
the best roofing is either ceramic or metal roofing,;.
i always use metal roofing because it is more durable compared to other types of rooing:-”
metal roofings should be the best, they are sturdy and can be replaced easily ,,,
Ice dams can be a real problem, and not only for flat roofs. Thanks for great post!
Some great points here. Thank you all for contributing.
This winter was particularly rough. Ice dams was a huge problem for many commercial customers we work with.
Really good post. Continue to keep up the superb work.
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