4 Common Winter Roofing Issues

Philadelphia is no stranger to harsh, winter weather, and the cold can have a negative effect on your home, from top to bottom. As hard as you may try to protect your roof, blustery winds and inches of snow can take a toll on this part of your house. In preparation for the upcoming season, here are four common winter roofing issues Philadelphia natives might expect to experience this year.

Icicles

Many of us are familiar with the tapered pieces of ice that seem to stem off of everything in the wintertime. While these icicles may look pretty, they can actually spell out danger for your roof. Icicles can cause damage by rooting the wood on your roof as they melt, tearing down gutters with their weight and potentially shattering glass windows when they fall.

Additionally, icicles could be harmful to your family, as there is always the possibility that these forms of solid ice could come lose and fall from your roof. In order to prevent icicles forming, you can keep gutters and downspouts clear from clogs. When the weather warms back up, be sure to have your ServiceWhale contractor to come out and address minor issues before they become major leaks.

Condensation

While the air outside is frigid, the temperature in your attic is likely to be warmer. If your home does not have good insulation, the cold outdoor air will meet the warm indoor air, forming condensation. Unfortunately, this condensation will form on the underside of your roof.

When condensation happens, it can cause mold and mildew to grow in your attic. Mold and mildew can quickly spread, especially in a warm and moist environment. To prevent these winter roofing issues, have your contractor inspect and improve the insulation you have in your attic. Not only will you decrease your chances of condensation, you could save money on your utility bills due to the improved insulation.

Ice Dams

Similar to icicles, but much larger, ice dams can form on your roof. The eaves of most homes generally do not produce enough heat to melt the underside of snow that falls on your roof. Because of this, ice dams can form, causing large blocks of slowly melting ice to sit on top of your house.

Like icicles, this melting ice can cause wood to rot on your roof as the water seeps underneath the shingles. Ruining your roofing, ceilings and even causing mildew in the home, ice dams are never good news for anyone. Unfortunately, there really are no practical ways to prevent ice dams. You can try blowing cold air against your ceiling along the eaves of your home, but the best solution is to have a professional remove the blocks of ice as they form.

Strong Winter Winds

Some winter roofing issues are caused by the elements, such as frost and strong, winter winds. Strong winds, of course, can cause damage to your roof by simply blowing away lose shingles. If there are trees with dead limbs near your roof, the weight of the snow and a good, strong whoosh of wind can send this branch right toward your home. You avoid such a situation by having dead branches removed from your trees.

Are you concerned about your home’s safety this winter? With a contractor off of ServiceWhale, you can rest assured knowing that your house is in the best hands. Visit our website and use our request wizard to receive free roofing quotes from local Philadelphia contractors and avoid winter roofing issues before they start.