Homeowners put a great deal of time and money into preparing their homes and keeping them up so they look good and maintain their value. From top to bottom there are many areas that require attention and maintenance throughout the year, but one of the most overlooked is the roofing system. The roof that covers our home is an investment, and a very important one that that as without it everything in your home- including yourself and your family- risks being exposed to and damaged by the elements. A good roof can cost a good bit of money to install and it costs money to maintain it throughout the year, but it is an investment into the future value and protection of our home. Just as you would do any good investment that you make for the future, maintenance and attention Throughout each season there is particular work that is required so your roof looks its finest and serves it purpose for as long as possible. Winter preparation work for your roof is possibly the most important because snow, ice, and cold temperatures can wreak havoc on a roof that is not well prepared to handle it. Minor roof damage and small issues might not seem like a big deal at the time. but if left alone and allowed to continue unaddressed- especially during the brutal winter months- these small little annoyances and inconveniences will quickly spiral out of control until they become much bigger and much more costly problems. This is why making sure your roof is ready for winter snow is one of the most important steps you as a homeowner can take now to survive winter as unscathed as possible.
Winter Snows and the Hidden Dangers
There always seems to be something around that can potentially damage your roof but this is particularly true of the winter months. During periods of extremely heavy snowfall, snow and ice build-up may exceed the load capacity of your roof. This is especially true for homes with older roofs that are flat or have a low pitch. Proper preparation is important to make sure your roof is ready for what winter can throw at it. Snow on your roof can, put you at risk for weight bearing issues damaged shingles or tiles, the formation of ice dams, water leaks, and other issues that can weaken or damage your roof. These reasons are why it’s important to remove snow from your roof, especially during more severe storms. Stay Dry Roofing provides professional snow removal services to ensure that your roof won’t have any issues with ice dams, leaks, or too much weight. We can also help you ensure everything else it taken care of before the snows come so your roof and our home in general is properly prepared to handle winter’s icy touch. Call us today to get a free estimate on snow removal throughout our service areas and we can help you with your plans for making sure your roof is ready for winter snow this season with proper winter preparation work for your roof.
With this in mind, here are the roofing issues that need to be fixed sooner rather than later with the help of the Stay Dry Roofing team:
Damaged Tiles or Shingles
The tiles or shingles of the roof are the most visible aspect of the roofing system and is what everyone can see when they first look at your home’s roof. You want this to be solid and secure not just for aesthetic reasons, though that is the main reason most homeowners ever check the shingles. One or two cracked tiles or loose/missing shingles doesn’t seem like a big deal as they are not easily seen in most cases so what is the big deal so long as the rest of the roof is in good shape. Right? Well not so much, because these little gaps and cracks and opening that are made by broken or missing shingles and tiles can cause major problems or your roof, especially when the snows begin to fall. Damaged tiles or shingles make your roof vulnerable to leaks and makes it more likely that more broken and damaged and missing shingles will develop before the season is over, which can then lead to water damage and leaks inside your home! When snows accumulate they add weight to your roof and as the snow and ice loads slide off the roof it can tear shingles and damage tiles. These missing cover areas can allow melting snow water to seep into your home and cause a great deal of damage. Stay Dry Roofing handles all types of roofing materials and roof styles so we can take care of any minor roof repair needs quickly and easily and save you from massive issues caused by these minor problems getting out of hand. When it comes to winter preparation work for your roof this is the one area that most homeowners already know about but will often ignore or fail to take care before the snow fall comes.
Snow Removal Preparation
Snow removal is an important part of taking care of your roof in the winter. It keeps the weight from growing to be too much for the roof and it an also help prevent issues with ice dams and water damage during snow melts. However, it can be dangerous if it’s not done correctly- slips and falls and damage to roofing structures are the most common concerns. That’s why it’s best to have our professionals handle your snow removal rather than trying to do it yourself and put your own safety and the integrity of your home at risk. Many homeowners fail to have roofing experts set up ahead of time to handle their snow removal needs. Finding someone who can get to you during the busy times after massive snow falls and winter storms can be a challenge so it is best to always have someone set up and scheduled to come out ahead of time. Our snow removal methods that we use help to ensure the safety of our workers and also ensure that we won’t damage your roof. We can help with this important part of winter preparation work for your roof so you can focus on making sure your roof is ready for winter snow!
Uneven or Broken Flashing
The flashing of your roof is typically made up of plastic, sheet metal, or composite materials and is the part of the structure that helps control the water flow off the roof. It is durable but also flexible to follow the flow of your roof line and keep water from puddling up in the roof and is what keeps it away from openings and natural problem areas on your roof. It typically is found around the chimney or at the joint seams of two roofing points especially on the valley peaks and in the roof slopes. Flashing needs to be in tact and free of dings, tears, and needs to be firmly attached or it will not be able to do its job. Any loose edges can allows water to get under the shingles and into the roofing struts and other structures where it can rot wood and cause manor problems. Broken or missing flashing sections can get snagged when snow and ice shift on the roof and tear more flashing and even shingles and under- layers of the roofing off in the process. If you can see any issue or problem with the flashing, such as a break or corrosion, you need to get the flashing replaced immediately in order to avoid water damage. In most cases, flashing can be easily replaced within a day, so there is not excuse to not have it fixed ahead of the winter weather. It is a small step to take to make sure your roof is ready for winter snow and ice.
Overhanging Branches and Limbs
When it comes to winter preparation work for your roof this is one of the things most homeowners never even think about. Landscape is a concern of the summer and spring months right? Yes it is the main focus of warm weather home maintenance but it is also important to not neglect your trees as the winter weather looms large. Your trees will likely be dormant during the cold weather unless you have evergreen trees but any trees growing near your home need to be inspected and prepared for the winter. Check the trees for any dead or damage branches and limbs-e specially any that hang over the home or come near the roof. As snow and ice builds,branches can get very heavy and can easily snap and break and come crashing down. Image the damage a large tree limb could do if it falls on the roof and then double that due to the weight of snow and ice and the resulting water damage that will come when that snow and ice gets into your home. So do not skip the trees and make sure you cut back as much as you can and keep branches and limbs away from your home. We here at Stay Dry Roofing have seen many instances of roof damage that resulted from limbs crashing down during a blizzard or after an ice storm passes through. Don’t take the chance- get it taken care of now while you still have the time!
Contact Stay Dry Roofing Today
Snow accumulation on the roof can lead to ice dams, heavy snow loads, and structural damage to your roof. Here are some of the cases you may find yourself facing if you neglect to prepare your roof properly for winter snow and ice:
- Warm air that originates from inside your house goes up into the attic, there it comes into contact with the roof eves and the roof itself, causing the lowest layer of snow or ice on the roof to melt making the snow and ice packs shift and side off the roof.
- Melting of the snow and ice on the roof, whether caused by warming of the temperatures outside or warmer air from inside the house, can cause water to trickle down though to the roof and seep into any cracks or missing shingle or tile spaces where it can get into the eves and into the attic itself.
- Repeated thaws and freeze throughout the season can gradually build up until a “dam” of ice forms all along the roof line, usually starting in the valleys or at the edge of the roof near the gutters and drain spouts.
- When ice dams form and grow large enough melting water collects behind it and forms a small pool where it may not always freeze right away due to the insulating nature of snow- the water rises under shingles and finds the cracks and holes that allow it to leak into your home.
- The weight of snow and ice on the roof can damage the roof,and it cannot be seen until the snow and ice melts and begins the slide off- usually by this time the damage has been there for a while and has lead to secondary damage due to exposure to melting snow water.
- In extreme cases if the weight of he ice and snow gets to be too much the structure of the roof itself can be weakened and cave ins can happen, specifically after rapid accumulation of snow or ice storms that lat down thick layers of ice.
This is why winter preparation work for your roof is such an important maintenance chore that homeowners cannot afford to skimp out on. If you need help making sure your roof is ready for winter snow give us a call and discoverer the Stay Dry Roofing difference for yourself! We are proud to serve our community and the surrounding area and we stand by our commitment to quality and excellence. Call us today to set up your consultation before the first snows begin to fall!