As a homeowner, you want to make sure that your roof is in good condition. This means that you need to keep an eye out for signs of wear and tear. One of the most common ways that damage occurs is through winter weather conditions such as snow and ice. You may think "it's just snow," but there are actually a lot of dangers when it comes to falling snow and ice on your home's roof. Here are some common problems caused by these seasonal changes:

Snow

Snow adds weight to your roof and gutters and causes damage. Snow on the roof increases the pressure on the walls of your home, which causes leaks in places where water is likely to get into the house. In effect, snow acts as a shield for rainwater that would otherwise leak through to your ceiling or walls.

Snow also melts and accumulates in gutters, causing them to overflow onto sidewalks and driveways when it rains. This causes more damage than ice does because water has more force as it moves through pipes. 

If you have an older home with metal roofs or vents that are exposed to cold temperatures for long periods of time (like during winter), there may be corrosion occurring inside those openings. Corrosion means rusting metal which leads to leaks down below if not repaired soon enough!

Ice Dams

Ice dams form when water from your roof’s shingles freezes and expands, creating a ledge that blocks water from draining away. As the ice melts at the bottom of the rooftop and pools on top of it, it drips into your home through small holes in your roof and causes leaks. Since ice dams are caused by cold temperatures, they tend to appear during winter months.

To prevent ice dams, make sure you have enough insulation in your attic to keep heat inside the house for several weeks if necessary. You should also clear any buildup of snow and ice around gutters or downspouts so that they drain properly when precipitation falls on them. If they become clogged with debris while snow is still falling heavily outside, they could become frozen as well. This causes an overflow problem since there's nowhere else for all that extra water to go but back onto itself because of gravity! When possible replace worn-out shingles before winter hits so there's no chance of leaks happening because of cracks. This may even help lower energy bills, too. 

Rain and Melting Snow

You may be thinking, “What could possibly be wrong with a little rain?” Well, water gets into your attic. Water damages the roof and causes mold and mildew to grow on it. If you don't have an insulated attic (most homes built before 2000 don't), the water will eventually seep into the structure of your home causing rot in framing beams and joists. Leaks from moldy roofs also aren't good news for walls either!

Hiding Damage

When winter weather strikes, it is difficult to see damage on the roof. Snow and ice hide damage to your roof, causing problems later. It also makes it more difficult for you to do routine inspections of your property during the winter months, so you may not notice mold or other problems until spring has passed and it's too late.

As you can see, winter weather is not just about the cold. It also has an impact on your roof, and that results in costly repairs or even replacement. In this article we’ve covered some of the ways that snow and ice can damage your home’s roof. If you have any questions about how this applies to your own situation, feel free to contact us at Lewis Roofing! 

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