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6 Most Common Roofing Problems During Winter

Nov 29, 2017

6 Most Common Roofing Problems During Winter

A roof is considered the most important part of a house. Having a roof over your head is actually considered basic shelter, that is why homeowners should pay extra attention to the condition of their roofs, and inspect them once a year at least, as well as before and after a major storm, hurricane, or troublesome weather. 

  • Condensation

If not ventilated and insulated properly, air can become condensed, especially in attic spaces. Condensation happens when warm indoor air hits a cold surface. It might not sound like a big problem, but condensation can actually cause leaks, and lead to the development of mold and mildew, which could result in health issue and respiratory problems for people living in the house.

How to avoid that:
Make sure the attic and ceiling are properly insulated and ventilated.

  • Icicles

icicles which are hanging down from a roof.

Icicles are also the result of bad insulation and ventilation. They tend to happen when snow accumulating on a roof melts and runs off, only to freeze hanging down when it hits the cold roof’s edge. Icicles are in reality very dangerous; they are heavy on the roof and gutters, and if they fall, they could cause serious injuries.

How to avoid that:
Make sure the attic and ceiling are properly insulated and ventilated.

 

  • Ice Dams

​​Roof with Ice DamsIce dams are the result of deficient insulation and ventilation in the attic and/ or ceiling. This takes place when the roof is radiating heat that causes the snow that is accumulating on the roof to melt, only to freeze again at the eaves or edges. These ice dams can be responsible for leaks as well as ceiling, wall, and roofing damage.

 

How to avoid that:
Make sure the attic and ceiling are properly insulated and ventilated.

 

Leaky flashings, or weatherproofing, are very common during winter, especially for houses with sloped roofs. Flashings are metal strips that are placed on the front edge, corners, ridges, in addition to around chimney and skylight. Those metal strips can peel away from a roof during a storm, and cause water to leak inside the house.

How to avoid that:
Make sure the roof is properly insulated and ventilated.

  • Trapped Water

Water damaged ceiling in an old abandoned house.

Faulty ventilation can cause water to get trapped inside the roof. Trapped water can be absorbed by roofing materials, causing problems such as cracks in the roof. Due to the cold outdoor weather and warm indoor air, said water can freeze and thaw multiple times, each time inflicting more damage to the roof.

How to avoid that:
Make sure the roof is properly insulated and ventilated.

 

  • Winds & Tree Limbs

​​​​An white oak tree falls on a small house and tears it apartWinds, in general, can be very harmful to a roof, but winds coupled with trees around the house can cause serious damage. For starters, the wind can cause roofing materials to loosen up, and knock nearby trees down, possibly on the roof, if they were tall enough, causing even further damage. 

 

How to avoid that:
Make sure to keep all trees that are close to the roof at a minimum and keep them trimmed. In addition to that, get your roof inspected before and after winter, to stay on the safe side.

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