4 Roof Damages to Look For After a Snowstorm

Winter can be a beautiful time of the year, but it also brings with it its fair share of problems. One of those problems is roof damage caused by heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures. If you live in an area that experiences extreme cold temperatures or heavy snowfall, it’s important to know what to look for when inspecting your roof after a storm. Here are four common roof damages to look out for.
Ice Dams
Ice dams form when warm air from inside your home escapes through the attic and melts the snow on your roof. The melted snow then refreezes along the edge of the roof, forming a dam that prevents additional melting water from draining properly off of your roof. As more water accumulates behind the dam, it can seep under shingles and into your home, causing damage to your ceiling and walls. To prevent ice dams from forming in the first place, make sure to keep your attic well-insulated so that warm air doesn’t escape into attic space.
Damage from Debris
Snowstorms often bring with them high winds which can carry debris onto your roof, resulting in punctured shingles or other damage. Make sure to inspect your roof for any signs of punctures or tears after a storm has passed through in order to catch any potential issues early on before they become larger problems down the road.
Collapsed Structures
Heavy snowfall can sometimes cause structures such as chimneys or skylights to collapse due to their weight if they are not properly supported beneath them. Make sure that all structures on your roof are securely braced against strong winds and heavy rain or snowfall before winter arrives in order to avoid costly repairs down the line should one collapse during a winter storm. If you find weak areas, consider contacting professionals who are skilled in storm damage roof repairs.
Leaks
If enough snow accumulates on top of your roof and freezes solid, it can put enough pressure on certain areas of the structure that small leaks begin to form over time as water finds its way in through cracks around flashing or damaged shingles. Make sure you check for any signs of leaking around penetrations in your roof regularly throughout winter months in order to catch any potential problems early on before they become major issues down the road.
Winter storms can create several types of damages on roofs if owners do not take preventive action or inspect their roofs following such events regularly afterwards. It is important that homeowners keep an eye out for ice dams, debris damage, collapsed structures, and leaks following a heavy snowstorm event so that these issues do not worsen over time if left unchecked and unrepaired promptly. Doing regular inspections will help you identify any potential problem areas quickly so that you can repair them before they become larger issues later on down the road!