It’s the pressing question of the winter season: how do you avoid a roof repair or a roof replacement this winter? Roof damage is common during the winter due to the storms, snow, and branches that tend to impact your roof. While your roof is there to protect your home, you need to be there to protect your roof so that you don’t need to stress about your roof while the weather is more challenging. 

1. Snow and Ice Damage 

Ice dams can be a real challenge for homeowners who live in the colder parts of the country. When snow hits your warm roof, it turns into water which trickles down into the gutters. However, once it’s in the cold gutters, it turns into ice. This ice can build up in your gutters, causing it to back up onto your roof once again. This freeze-thaw process allows it to creep under your shingles and to cause damage to your roof. This damage leads to leaks that become visible over time, and if it’s severe, you may need to do a lot of repairs to your roof. 

What can you do to avoid this problem? Keeping your gutters warm with a gutter cover will help you keep that water flowing. Instead of turning into ice again, it will move through the gutters and out into the garden.

2. Branches Hitting the Roof 

When debris hits your roof in the winter, this can cause small and large problems with your roof integrity. If it punches a hole in your roof, you may need to get that roof replaced, and at the very least you will require a repair job. Even hail can cause enough damage to your roof to require a repair over time. 

What can you do to stop branches from hitting your roof? This one is simple: prune your trees, and ensure that there are either no branches hanging over your roof or few branches. The ones that are there should be strong. If you notice that there is a winter storm that involves a larger movement of debris, check your roof later to look for damage. 

3. Loose Shingles 

If you have loose shingles on your roof, these can be exacerbated by the movements of winter snow, wind, hail, and ice. Shingles that curl or come loose can lead to water leaks under the shingles, and this, in turn, leads to potential mold and damage to the interior of your home.

What can you do to prevent this problem? Give your roof a good examination or hire a professional to do this during the late summer, so that you have time to plan for fall and winter. Pay special attention to spaces that connect with other structures, such as the fireplace or the edge of the roof. Repair any sections of roof that are having troubles. Be conscious of the age of your roof as well, since older roofs may have weakening shingles that are more prone to becoming loose. 

4. Heavy Snow 

The sheer weight of winter snow can be a force for your roof to reckon with over the winter season. If there is far too much snow, you actually run the risk of needing to replace your entire roof, because it could collapse. However, you can’t control the snow, so how do you avoid this problem? 

Improving your roof drainage systems can help you prevent the accumulation of a lot of wet snow on your roof. Make sure that your gutter systems are designed to warm up that snow and carry it away down the drains. Adding a gutter cover to your gutter can help you ensure that your gutters will be able to stay clean and clear and ready for snow runoff. 

If you’re concerned about your overall roof, make sure that you consult with a roofing professional prior to the winter season. This will help you know how ready your roof is to accommodate the weight of the winter snow. 

At Harry Helmet, we know how important it is to have a strong roof to protect your family. If you’re considering a roof replacement, talk with us. With our wealth of experience working with family homes just like yours, we can help you create the best plan for your home. Schedule a free estimate today.

Written by Del Thebaud