The winter brings rain, snow and ice, all of which cause problems for roofs throughout the season. Preparing for winter now will help to prevent unnecessary work and problems maintaining your home later. Before you start thinking about salting your driveway and insulating your attic, you might want to do the little things to keep these common roofing problems from happening.
Moisture Buildup
Cold exteriors and warm interiors make the perfect environment for condensation to form. Excessive condensation forms when there’s not enough ventilation, leading to mold and mildew growth inside your home. Not only do you have to deal with condensation but the problems that come from fungal growth. You can avoid these problems by having a roofing specialist inspect your roof and conduct an insulation check to reduce any problems from condensation.
Icicles
Proper ventilation and insulation is important to keep icicles and ice dams from forming on your roof. If it isn’t properly insulated, the snow on the top of the roof will melt and refreeze at the edges, causing massive ice dam buildup and hanging icicles. Though insulation is important, you don’t want to stuff your attic with it. If you do, you will cut off the air circulation and cause other problems like moisture buildup.
Leaks
Your roof is a complex structure with many parts that serve a specific purpose. One important part is the flashing, which keeps moisture from seeping into the underlying structure and the interior. The flashing can get exposed during high winds and periodic freezing during the winter. It’s a good idea to have a roofing specialist inspect your roof for damaged flashing or missing shingles to prevent leaks and interior moisture damage.
Overgrown Trees
Do you have tree limbs hanging over the roof? Consider cutting them back. As ice and snow build up on the limbs, they will become too heavy and fall onto your roof. They may damage the roofing materials or break off and put a hole in your roof, causing numerous problems inside your home.
Rodents
Squirrels, mice and rats need shelter during the winter just as we do. If they can’t find it outside, they’ll look for it inside your home. Rodents can get inside through gaps around attic vents or any other small opening along your roof. You’ll want to locate and seal these gaps to keep rodents outside where they belong.
How a Roof Inspection Can Help
Whether it’s excess icicles and ice dams or leaks and pests, you don’t want to deal with these problems once it’s freezing outside. A roofing specialist can identify troublesome areas, giving you a heads-up and making the necessary repairs or adjustments before winter arrives.