Depending on the severity of the seasonal storms that we get here in North Carolina, the winter season can unquestionably pose a serious threat to your roofing system. Gusts of strong winds and freezing temperatures can damage even some of the most well-built roofs.
To help prevent it, it’s smart to have your roof inspected every spring to check for these issues. To help prevent unwanted surprises that can arise out of seemingly nowhere, we have put together four common and recurring winter issues that we find during a spring roofing inspection.
Condensation
Condensation is one of those issues that are nearly unavoidable in poorly insulated roofing systems. In the wintertime, when warm air from the inside of your house meets the cold surface of the roof, water can start condensing at the point of contact.
At Atlas Construction & Roofing, we check for mildew buildup that could seep through the layers of your roof. We also check for any signs of mold growth around wet areas, which could severely damage the decking of your roof. This is one of the most common problems that we deal with during roofing inspections in the spring.
Ice Dams
Ice dams can become a serious problem if you do not have a proper ventilation system and insulation for your roof in place. The top half of the roof is usually hotter, which allows the snow to melt and drip down to the edges. The water refreezes at the edge of your roof and, because it is colder, leads to the formation of ice dams and icicles.
We strongly recommend improving your attic ventilation system to eliminate this issue entirely. In severe cases of ice dams, we have even noticed water leaking through the roofs into the house. A professional inspection is absolutely recommended to deal with ice dams, as they can cause irreparable damage to your roof.
Flashing Leaks
Thin metal strips can help provide a crucial layer of protection in the sloping-type of roofing systems. However, they can become a huge problem if not installed properly. During seasonal weather changes, these strips of metal may come off or become unhinged completely. creating gaps in your roof.
In fact, this is one of the leading causes of water leakages through the roof during the winters. We recommend inspecting your roof for flashing leaks every 6 months, as it’s not only a winter issue. Furthermore, seasonal storms can have a severe impact on the damaged areas, leading to more problems later on down the line.
Strong Winds
Strong winds can be pretty common in our neck of the woods, and they can have a significant impact on your roof over time. During inspections, we can keep an eye out for broken or hanging shingles that may have come off due to strong wind gusts.
The power of strong winds can sometimes be fairly unpredictable. Sudden temperature drops, especially in windy areas like ours, can lead to flash storms. If left unnoticed for a long time, the loose shingles on your roof can lead to punctures and other leakage problems.
To offset this, proper insulation can help keep your roof and home safe. We cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your roof properly insulated for winters. Most of the problems can be easily avoidable if you act at the right moment.
Regular roof inspections allow us to be on top of all these issues, which in turn saves you a lot of time and money. To learn more about the more common types of roofing problems that can occur during the winter, as well as their possible solutions, please do not hesitate to contact us at Atlas Construction & Roofing today!
