6 Biggest Winter Roofing Problems
Winter is arguably the best season there is. Winter is an issue that concerns us all, as it is also one of the busiest times of the year. We tend to have our heads up our sleeves during the holidays and don’t pay attention to the threats that come our way.
Winter and snow are harmful to roofs that are not properly roofed to withstand this type of weather. Today we bring a solution for you; here is an article with a list of 6 winter roofing problems that should be taken into account by readers.
Condensation
Condensation occurs when hot air meets a cold environment, then moisture is created. As we enter the winter, it is normal for this to happen as temperature changes are drastic and tend to be very low. Condensation affects houses with poor roofing, requiring waterproofing and acclimatization to prevent it.
The most common consequences are related to homes with attics, as they tend to develop mold and fungus that can damage the structure.If you have an attic in your home and you want to prevent it from being damaged by mold, you should waterproof the roof and avoid these kinds of problems. The attic needs to be completely insulated from the weather so that it does not deteriorate into its structure.
Water Leaks
Pitched roofs are very popular in the United States, the United Kingdom, and many other countries. If you have one in your home, you may know what intermittent water leaks during the winter are all about.
This involves the detachment of metal reinforcements either in the chimney, from the ends, or edges of the roof due to a severe storm or other weather disasters, leading to leakage of water into the house in question. This can be problematic as the water severely damages the foundation and structure of the roof and walls of the house.
The best way to avoid this type of situation is to ensure that all external reinforcements are securely bolted together and not loose. This can be done by calling in a professional service to secure and rivet those cracks.
Strong Winds
Strong winds can compromise the stability of your home’s facade. The biggest problem with these winds is that they can leave your home unprotected if it is not properly secured.
Houses with roofs are prone to having their shingles torn off by high winds, leaving the roof completely open. This can lead to worse damage from external causes because of the exposure the roof now has.
It should also be noted that the roof will need to be re-done, not to mention that it may be more expensive to replace the missing tiles.
The most effective way to stop this is to have a good job done during the roofing process, as well as good maintenance so as not to leave room for this inconvenience.
Tree Branches
During the winter, strong blizzards and snow accumulation are not the only problem. If you have several trees surrounding your house, you may be exposed to their branches falling on your roof.
When they fall, they damage the roof and the top of the house, causing damage to both the facade and the structure of your roof. They can also end up in your pipes, making it difficult to drain water.The best way to prevent this is to cut off branches that are close to two meters from your home.
Ice Dams
Ice dams are very common in winter, many people deal with them to try not to affect the surroundings of their house (especially the roof).
They form when in a frozen roof, the top part is starting to melt and the bottom part remains frozen. When you mix the snow and ice with the water on both sides, it freezes again and creates an ice dam.
This can be very harmful as it can seep into the home through any cracks it finds, causing damage to the structure and facade of your home.
To remove the newly made ice dam, enough heat must be applied to melt the ice that has formed. There is no way to eradicate the possibility of ice dams forming, but you can minimize the damage and impact it has. Good waterproofing, roofing, roof insulation, and attic ventilation can reduce the risk of extensive damage.It is also recommended that methods such as Caulker be used to avoid cracks where water can enter.
Icicles
Icicles are extremely dangerous for family members, as they can suddenly fall and physically damage anyone.They are caused by sub-zero temperatures and their dose of sunshine. They usually form at the edges of the roof, right through the gutters.
Their appearance will be accompanied by drainage problems, to prevent them from forming you can clean your gutters.This type of threat can also cause corrosion, facade damage, structure damage, and can lead to rooms like the attic becoming moldy.
All of these threats await us every time it is winter, which is why investing in a good roof, and good plumbing services. With all of this in mind, you should be ready for next winter.
With everything we saw in this article, we wanted to convey the concern about these dangers that winter brings and that many are underestimated because they are believed to be trivial.
We also shared some tips that can be followed by the viewer to avoid these problems when the next winter arrives.
It also warns about how essential it is for a house to have good roofing since without one the facade and structure would be compromised.
To conclude, it is expected that the spectators follow the procedures previously established so that when a situation like this arises they can resolve it easily.
In Awe Roofing Limited is an Award-Winning, family owned and operated Vancouver Roofing Contractor with over 17 years of roofing experience. We serve the entire Lower Mainland area, from Whistler to Chilliwack, employing a team of professional staff members. Our team has won numerous awards including Best of Homestars for the last five years, and Three Best Rated six years in a row. Learn more