Winter is nearly upon us here in Colorado and heavy snow and strong winds are just around the corner. While your first thought about the snow is likely how excited you are to hit the slopes or how you’re dreading having to shovel your driveway and sidewalk, it is also important to keep an eye out for your roof during this time. Winter weather can be especially hard on your roof with the snow and ice freezing and thawing, especially with the drastic temperature changes we get here in the Castle Rock and Front Range area. This can create problems that could potentially lead to costly repairs if not adequately addressed.
Read on for some of the most common winter roofing issues our Colorado roofing company sees each year, and be sure to give us a call today if you notice any signs of these problems beginning so we can get them taken care of before they turn into an even bigger problem.
Let’s jump right into it!
PROBLEM #1: Ice Dams
Ice dams are created from snow that has accumulated on the top of your roof and the warmth that rises from your home. What happens is the warmth from the inside of your house will slightly melt the inner layers of snow on your roof, but since your home is not hot enough to completely melt the snow off of your roof, the slow-melting water collects and freezes over again. This pattern of thawing and freezing forms ice dams that become heavy on your roof. When ice dams occur, the slightly melted snow can seep into your home’s shingles and even dismantle them as the water refreezes into the roof.
In order to address ice dams, you can blow cold air up against your ceiling in order to prevent the snow and ice from melting onto your rooftop. Another way you can take care of this problem is to remove the ice and snow on your roof by using a rake to gently scrape them off, but we do not recommend this as it can be slippery, dangerous, and may not completely remove the ice and snow allowing for further damage to occur. Contacting a trusted roofing company like Columbine Roofing & Exteriors to assist you with snow removal is always a great option.
PROBLEM #2: Condensation
Similar to ice dams, condensation during the winter occurs when melted snow sinks into porous roof materials including wood and foil insulation. When this water becomes trapped, it expands when it freezes and can create cracks and breakage in both the roof and the ceiling. Even small leaks can form due to condensation and the integrity of the roof is oftentimes compromised.
One of the most effective solutions for solving condensation issues is to remove any water that had built up on your roof. This can be performed through proper venting and insulation and by repairing any noticeable holes and cracks in the roof and/or ceiling as soon as you spot them. At Columbine Roofing & Exteriors, we can help you with this issue in order to prevent further damages and keep your home or commercial property in tip-top shape throughout the winter. We also do free inspections if you are unsure about the problem.
PROBLEM #3: Icicles
This one may seem a bit strange, because who doesn’t love looking at beautiful icicles coming off of the side of a home or business? While they may be pretty, they are known to cause damage to roofs. This is because they are formed when ice dams spill over the ends of a house and then freeze over mid-drip. Depending on the size of the icicles and the length of time that they remain on your house, icicles can end up rotting your roof, breaking your windows, or even tearing down your gutter systems.
While you may feel tempted to knock down the icicles by yourself, this can be incredibly dangerous and lead to serious injuries. Even if you think you have good clearance from underneath the icicles, breaking them off yourself can lead to serious damage to your home as you can’t see what damages may have already occurred to your roof or gutters. A better solution for removal would be to use heat tape across the ends of your roof in order to prevent icicles from forming along your house. An even better option is, again, to contact our roofing company at Columbine Roofing & Exteriors. This way, we can get to the root of the issue rather than just taking down the icicles in order to prevent more damage from occurring down the road.
PROBLEM #4: Heavy Snow
It’s no secret that Colorado gets a ton of snow. While snowy days are beautiful and make for a great excuse to cozy up indoors, it is important to keep in mind how much it is weighing down your roof. The good news is that our roofs are designed to be prepared for snowy climates and withstand the weight of heavy snowfall, but if you have an older roof that is in need of replacement in the near future, this is something that you will want to keep an eye out for.
There are plenty of signs that your roof is in danger of collapsing from the weight of snow. These signs include:
- Gutters bending and buckling from dealing with thick ice and snow
- You are having trouble opening or closing your doors and windows
- Your doors and windows seem warped or uneven
- Bulging ceilings
- Sudden, bad leaks
If you notice any of these signs, it is absolutely necessary to contact a professional roofing company like Columbine Roofing & Exteriors to help repair your roof before the unthinkable happens.
PROBLEM #5: Tree Limbs
If you are lucky enough to have a yard with big, beautiful trees, you will want to keep an eye out for some of the dangers that they can impose on the structure of your home, especially during the winter. Overhanging tree limbs can end up scraping the surface of your roof during windy winter weather and cause damage to its protective top layer. And, if the branches end up falling onto your roof, this can end up causing even more damage.
This problem has a quick fix — get in contact with a local arborist. They have the extensive knowledge and expertise to trim your tree(s) in order to keep them beautiful and thriving while maintaining the safety and integrity of your roof and your home.
There you have it! The five most common roofing problems we see during the wintertime here in beautiful Colorado. If you notice any signs of these problems, or even if you are unsure, please never hesitate to contact our Castle Rock roofing company at Columbine Roofing & Exteriors. We provide free inspections and will do a thorough assessment of your roof’s condition in order to determine whether it needs repair or if it will be good to go for the winter. This way, you can rest assured that you and your family will be protected from the elements and have a team who can help if anything ever changes.
