Winter weather, while enjoyable for snowball fights, sledding, and magical walks at night, is not the best thing for your home’s roofing. Snow, ice, and strong winds can quickly wreak havoc on the system serving as your home’s first line of defense. Instead of leaving this structure vulnerable to the elements, familiarize yourself with these common winter roofing issues and how to prevent them. If you need help restoring a roof leak or torn roofing materials, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our roofing experts.

Winter Winds

Homeowners must be wary of strong winds at any time of the year but especially during the winter months. Severe winter winds can tear up shingles and damage flashing, allowing moisture to seep through the underlying roofing materials and causing costly water damage. 

While you can’t prevent winter winds from blowing in, you can take some precautionary steps to ensure your roofing system is prepared to withstand the strong forces. If your roof is old, it’s time to start searching for reputable roofing companies in Bel Air, MD. Our team can replace your home’s roof to ensure the shingles hold fast.

Condensation

Perhaps the most overlooked winter roofing problem is condensation. This issue results from poor ventilation in your attic. When the air inside the attic is warmer than the air seeping through the vents, condensation can form. The moisture damages ceiling joists and trusses and causes mold and mildew.

You can avoid this common winter roofing problem by venting the roof. You can hire a professional to help you install ridge and soffit vents, which will minimize condensation by keeping the attic at an ideal temperature.

Ice Dams

Ice dams occur when snow on the top portion of your roofing system thaws and runs down to the lower section of your roof, where it’s still cold enough for the snow to refreeze. As this variation in temperature continues, the ice dam grows bigger, clogging your gutters and preventing melting snow from draining. With nowhere else to go, the water seeps into your roofing system, causing extensive damage and creating an environment for mold and mildew.

To prevent ice dams from forming, you will need to focus on ventilation and insulation. Add soffit and ridge vents to increase airflow, install attic insulation, seal cracks, and add weatherstripping to windows.

Icicles

Icicles may be fun to look at and add cool aesthetic appeal to winter cabins, but they can be quite dangerous to people, pets, and your home’s roofing system. If they are not dealt with in a timely manner, they will continue to grow, and their weight will damage your roof and gutters.

Since icicles often form due to clogged gutters and downspouts, ensure you consistently clear leaves and debris from your gutter system, especially as winter approaches. You can also prevent icicles by focusing on improving your attic’s ventilation and insulation.

Tree Limbs

Trees covered in snow are beautiful sights to behold — if they’re far enough away from your home, that is! If you have trees sprinkled across your property, you probably relish the privacy they provide. Unfortunately, trees that are so close to your home that they have branches hanging over your roof are one of the most common sources of winter roofing problems. This is because their branches can scrape across and pull up your shingles during winter storms. They can even drop entire limbs onto your roofing system if they become overburdened with snow.

The good news is that preventing tree limb damage is fairly simple. Keep your trees trimmed so that no branches come within six feet of your roof. This is a perfect chore for your spring and fall to-do list.

ALP Roofing Fixes Winter Roofing Problems

The best way to avoid winter roofing issues is to be proactive. However, we understand that this isn’t always possible. If a winter storm wreaks havoc on your roofing system, turn to ALP Roofing. We offer professional roof repairs and gutter replacement in Bel Air, MD, and the surrounding areas to ensure your roofing system continues to protect your family and home. Reach out to our team today to discuss strategies for preventing winter roofing problems or to schedule a service.