Freezing Temps Are Coming, Is Your Roof Ready?

The temperature is going to be dropping dramatically according to the weather forecasts and if you have an older asphalt shingle roof, 10 years old or so, you’re going to want to take steps to prevent any potential damage.

One big problem is ice buildup and it can become quite a problem in shingle roofing, particularly if we’re going to be seeing any significant snowfall. The fluctuating day time and night time temperatures can cause ice to melt and re-freeze on the surface of the roof. Then that ice accumulates on the edge of the roof forming ice dams.

Ice dams create a barrier that impedes melted snow from draining normally through your gutter system. Sections of ice that remain on the upper portions of the roof are problematic as well, for similar reasons.

There is no question that ice dams can lead to shingle damage & roof leak incidents. Therefore clearing your roof thoroughly after a snowfall can prevent the formation of ice dams, and protects the shingle roofing from cold weather damage.

Proper ventilation in the attic of your home is an affordable solution that keeps your roof at a stable temperature even on the coldest days of winter. This encourages ice to melt without damaging the roofing materials.

You’ll also want to make sure your home’s gutter system is in good condition before the first frost. DYMI Construction can provide a comprehensive gutter inspection as part of your roof inspection, so remember to schedule one.

Roof leaks are a very common problem in shingled roofs. Leaks in the flashing near chimneys and skylights are perhaps the most common areas that sustain damage. Water damage can impact not only your roof but your home’s interior as well, but can be easily prevented.

Other damage includes cracking, bruising and blistering of the surface of the roofing material. Aggressive storms could even cause you to lose whole shingles from your roof. Damage of this kind has to be repaired to retain the function and integrity of your roofing structure.

This is why we always recommend you schedule a pre-winter roof inspection to make sure your home is ready for the cold and wet winter conditions. Aside from typical external check of your roofing structure, a roofing inspector will check ventilation, insulation and moisture levels and offer appropriate steps to remedy any potential problems before winter arrives, but now that winter is here in full force it’s even more important to have us come down as address any problems we find.