A sound roof is critical despite extreme temperatures or inclement weather, including ice and snow. Winter is harsh for roofs, making it crucial to take the necessary precautions to protect your roof throughout the season.
With the proper maintenance, roofing materials can suffer from ice and water damage leading to extensive and expensive repairs.
Another preventive measure is having a pre-season inspection with a quality and qualified roofing contractor. You can find a premium example by visiting www.rockroofingcontractor.com. Companies like these detect issues like cracks or minor leaks before these can escalate into major problems.
They confirm that the structure can handle the weight of ice and snow, making the necessary repairs to ensure the roof is efficient, reducing heat loss to lower energy costs, and ensure high performance throughout the winter season.
Signs You Need a New Roof Before Winter
If your roof is over 15 years old, it’s time to consider replacing it with new roofing to prevent winter damage. Heavy snowfall can compromise an older roof leading to severe problems throughout the season.
Age is only one factor when assessing winter roofing needs. Several other signs indicate the need for a new roof.
Visit – Do You Need a New Roof? 7 Signs & Symptoms of Roof Damage | Farm Bureau Financial Services – to learn signs of roof damage. Consider the following 5 signs showing that you should consider budgeting and consulting with a roofing contractor before the winter seasons sets in.
Damaged or missing shingles
As a homeowner, you want to visually inspect the roof twice each year and following major storms. One thing to pay attention for is damaged or missing shingles. The shingles provide a protective barrier between the roof’s surface and layers beneath it.
If these fall off, water can readily work its way into the structure, causing it to rot. Roof rot is a sign of severe structural and functional issues with the roof. You won’t necessarily be able to see the problem as it’s developing beneath the shingles. It’s revealed as the old layers are peeled away.
Rotting roofs can’t handle winter weather since they are prone to mooisture damage from sleet, snow, and rain and cannot tolerate the heavy load snowfall brings.
The thing to remember is that even one or two missing shingles can lead to leaks. The priority is to replace shingles immediately when you notice they’ve fallen off. The other option is to replace the roofing if the shingle problem has spiraled out of control.
Shingle granules lining the gutters
The shingles might look okay when viewing them from a distance; however, if you find granules in the gutters when cleaning them, it can be an indication of a roofing issue. Granules fall off shingles leading to roof weakness.
It will be challenging to know which shingles the granules are coming from. The best option is to consider replacing the roof instead of making ineffective repairs.
Increasing utility bills in the winter
Pay attention to utility costs over the last few winter seasons. If these show an increase from one season to the ne in heating costs it could be because your house is not adequately insulated. It can also be an indication that the home’s windows are outdated or that the roof is allowing heat to escape in the winter.
One solution is to install a new roof to keep the heat inside, reduce energy consumption, and lower utility costs.
Mold or moss
If you notice green spots on your roof, it’s most likely mold or moss growing in varied areas. The problem can start small with only specks, but they can rapidly spread and trap moisture on the roof as they grow. This can lead to leaks, jeopardizing the roof once inclement weather sets in.
Visible roof leaks
The most obvious sign of roof trouble and one that needs immediate attention is roof leaks. When it rains, you want to go into the attic and check around the roof. If you see moisture forming in the space, this is a clear sign of a problem that needs to be addressed.
You also want to pay attention for staining or damp spots on the ceiling and walls. This is another indication that the roof is leaking and could need to be replaced before being exposed to the harsh winter weather. Read here for alarming signs your roof needs repair.
Yellow or brown stains are an indication of a roof leak. When ice dams start to form during the coldest days of the year, the stains tend to get worse, particularly when the dams start to melt. What does ceiling stains have to do with the roof handling winter weather?
- Likely there is already an active attic or roof leak, which will continue to get worse as snow accumulates and melts.
- Neglected leaks from ice dams and melting snow eventually deteriorate the ceiling, leading to failure.
- Shingles can be damaged or missing exposing the roof to the winter elements. The shingles might not be able to tolerate winter storms and high winds.
- The flashing could be loose or damaged around vents, chimneys or skylights allowing water seepage into vulnerable areas.
- Prompt leak repair prevents moisture from spreading into the framing and insulation, which can compromise the structure.
A roof with a compromised structure might not be able to bear the burden of heavy snow accumulations. Removing snow from the roof prevents excessive stress and strain from the edges and gutters.
A standard roof can handle roughly 20 pounds of snow per square foot, but this can vary depending on its condition and the design. Heavy and wet snow can weight much more with only a foot ranging up to 30 pounds per square foot, putting an incredible strain on the structure.
Keep the snow removed reduces the risk of ice dams. These can lead to water damage and gutter detachment. The downside to removing snow from the roof are the safety hazards. It’s essential to take every precaution. A roof replacement, on the other hand, will eliminate this hassle and bring incredible benefits.
We hope you found this blog post on The 5 Signs You’ll Need a New Roof Before Next Winter (and What to Do About It Now), useful. Be sure to check out our post on How To Choose a Roofing Company for more great tips!
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