During the winter, some homeowners may run into a few frequent issues with the upkeep and maintenance of their roof. Typical situations may include rotting and decaying roofing sections, or cracked and missing shingles due to storm damage or age. Keeping up with roof inspections and repairs during the winter is a challenge. Here are some of the more common roofing issues homeowners experience during the winter to help you identify signs of roofing damage and possibly prevent issues.
Water Damaged Roof
The effects of past season’s rainfall and high humidity levels can factor into your roof’s current condition. While we may feel that the winter season is cold and dry, there’s still plenty of moisture in the form of snow and ice that can damage your roof. Snow that accumulates on your roof can result in structural damage, especially if an ice dam prevents the snow and subsequent snowmelt from draining off the roof and into gutters. The result, often, is rotting or decaying shingles that require replacement. Even worse, moisture then leaks up underneath your roofing materials to begin harming internal structures. Look in your attic or at your ceilings for signs of water damage before and after the snow melts.
Weather Damaged Shingles
In addition to gradual damage from snow and other wet conditions, your shingles could end up being damaged by a severe winter storm. Hail, freezing rain and ice dams can be dangerous and destructive to your home. The bottom line is you must have your roof looked at if signs of damage are visible, or suspected. On a positive note repairing roofing damage is usually affordable, and roof replacement has a high return on investment over time. A new asphalt shingle roof has an ROI of about 62%. If a relatively rough and windy winter storm passes through your area, make sure you look at your roof and contact a roofing contractor for a proper inspection if need be.
Lack Of Winter-Ready Insulation
Finally, winter can be an unpleasant season inside your home with higher utility bills and reduced comfort when lower temperatures are common. Drafty areas throughout your home can be uncomfortable to deal with for the rest of the season, but they are preventable. Adding extra insulation during home roof repair can keep you warmer both during the rest of the winter and can even help your home stay cool during the summer. Lack of proper attic insulation raises your heating and air conditioning costs significantly, since less effective insulation causes your furnace to work overtime more frequently in the winter.
Winter can be difficult on your home’s roof, and homeowners deal with these issues regularly during the colder seasons. If any of these problems sound familiar to you, you’ll want to contact a licensed contractor to help you with your residential roof repair as soon as possible. For more information, contact Select Construction today.