Your roof experiences the most stress during winter due to heavy ice, wind, and snow build-up. Hence, winter roof inspections are vital to discovering possible issues early. As homeowners, routine roof inspections help address minor repairs before they increase in cost, prevent expensive repairs, prolong the life of the roof, and maintain a safe, energy-efficient indoor environment.
Effect of Winter on Your Roof
Winter has several impacts on roofs, especially if they are poorly maintained. Some of them are:
- Ice Dam
When snow melts from the roof and refreezes in the cooler areas, such as the eaves, ice dams form. The dams act as a barrier, restricting water drainage, causing leakages, and damaging more areas on the roof that may affect the inside of your house.
- Freezing and Thawing
Freeze and thaw cycles weaken roofing materials. In addition, in cases where snow melts and then refreezes, shingles expand and contract, cracking them, ultimately leading to some leaks.
- Snow and Ice Build-Up
Heavy compounded snow and ice build up a weight that causes significant pressure on the roof. Snow buildup mounts stress on the structure, and in some cases, it causes the roof to collapse.
- Condensation
Cold temperatures may cause warm air inside your house to rise, sometimes coming into contact with cold roof surfaces, causing condensation in the attic. Over time, this will only result in a lot of wood rot, destroy internal insulation, and promote mold and mildew growth.
Benefits of Winter Roof Inspection
Winter roof inspection offers a wide range of benefits:
- Routine roof inspection offers numerous benefits, and they include the following:
- A roof inspection reveals leaks, ice dams, and missing shingles before the damage degenerates further. This can help save money, as more damage demands more money to repair.
- Winter roof inspection enables proper evaluation of the roof’s ability to hold heavy snow buildup without worrying about any future leaks that may damage your home.
- Early detection and immediate correction of minor defects can improve the lifespan of your roof.
- Proper inspection ensures that the roof is caulked or sealed to maintain insulation and consequently prevent heat loss that may cause a spike in energy bills.
- Winter roof inspection can detect potential safety hazards, like massive snow build-up, that might eventually lead to reduced structural stress.
Need a Roof Inspection?
Routine maintenance before and during winter months will reduce the effects and improve the lifespan of your roof. Allow Bay State Exterior to be in charge of your roof’s winter maintenance. Get in touch for a free estimate