Winter can bring a festive atmosphere, fun in the snow, sledding, and skiing, but it can also be a bit tough on your roof.
Harsh winter weather can cause some minor or major damages to your roof, which can pose certain risks to your well-being as well as put a hole in your budget. Poorly installed roofs and old roofs will be more likely to experience the effects of extreme weather.
Leaks are some of the most common damages that roofs experience during the winter months, so let’s dig deeper into why these leaks happen in the first place. With this knowledge, you will be able to recognize and stop roof leaks during the cold months in time.
Ice Dams
An ice dam is a rigid piece of ice on the roof. It is formed when the snow melts and freezes again on the roof. Meltwater gathers up in the frozen dam and it can cause damages if the water leaks through the roof.
If you want to prevent ice dams, you need to make sure that your attic is appropriately sealed off. The heat that comes out from your house will melt the snow, which will freeze again. Therefore, you need to take preventative steps before the first snow shows up, meaning you need to add insulation and seal off every possible air leak that could warm up the roof.
Damaged Roof Shingles
Any shingles that are cracked, curled, or missing can lead to roof leaks. Shingles can be damaged due to aging, wind, storms, walking on the roof, and many other things, but whatever the reason is, it should be fixed immediately.
In order for your roof to be ready for the winter, it needs to be inspected and repaired before the cold weather hits your area. Any aging, broken, and especially missing shingles should be repaired or replaced. By doing that on time, you will be able to avoid leaks during the cold months.
Clogged Gutters
Anytime your gutters are clogged with mud, leaves, and twigs, the water on the roof won’t be diverted away from your home. Therefore, cleaning your gutters is a crucial task because even a little bit of water can cause a lot of damage to your house.
Gutters can get exceedingly messy during the fall, especially if there are trees in close proximity to your house, so it’s of the utmost importance to pay attention to your gutters during that time. Moreover, make sure that the gutters are cleaned out and ready for the winter. Digging leaves and mud from your gutters doesn’t sound like a fun job, but it’s worth the hassle. And if you can’t clean it yourself, hire a gutter cleaning service to do it for you.
Cracked Flashing
Flashing is installed around chimneys, vents, and similar protrusions on the roof, so any damage to it can cause your roof to leak. Flashing prevents water from seeping into your roof and inside your home, so when it is broken, that’s a reason for concern, especially during heavy rains and snowfalls.
Therefore, if you notice that your flashing is cracked or loose, make sure to contact a professional roofing contractor Jackson TN to take care of it.
Conclusion
Now when you know what can cause leaks on your roof during the winter, you also know what to look out for and repair before the cold months arrive.
Timely roof repair and systematic roof maintenance are the best way to guarantee your roof will be in great shape for the winter. Call your trusted local roof repair specialist Jackson TN for a detailed inspection and we’ll make sure your roof is completely ready for the cold winter months. We will also provide you with some excellent roofing maintenance tips and tricks that will help you avoid roof leaks in the future.
