The winter season in Minneapolis is typically ravaging. Your roof not only has to deal with snow and ice storms but also high amounts of rainfall.
With winter being just a few months away, you need to ensure your property and loved ones are protected from the elements. You need to maintain a strong roof that won’t jeopardize your family’s safety. Here are four of the commonest problems your roof can experience in winter.
Snow
Winter in the Midwest is characterized by heavy snow. Certainly, your roof will bear the weight of snow. In as much as your roof may be engineered to withstand snow, its flashes and shingles can easily get damaged as a result of excess snow accumulation. Besides this, the disproportionate accumulation of snow on one part of your roof can damage the entire structure.
If wind gusts cause heavy piles of snow to accumulate on areas of the roof adjoining the walls or even lower roof levels, shingles can get damaged. More often than not Minnesota winters are characterized by dramatic weather changes which cause a pattern whereby ice melts during daytime and before freezing at night. The spontaneous melting and refreezing causes wood shingles in your roof to expand, crack, or loosen.
Leaks
Leaks are a common roof problem during winter. Most roofs in Minnesota have metal flashes located at the joints to prevent water seepage through the structure. Nonetheless, the aging process not only wears down but also loosens the shingles. When this happens, the metal flashes get broken down thus rendering your roof susceptible to leakage.
Leaky flashings are another common leaking problem during winter. Flashings are those thin metal strips that are placed on ridges and edges of your roof, chimneys, and skylights for waterproofing purposes. Winter storms and snow can cause flashings to loosen or get uplifted thus allowing water entry. Regular inspection and replacement of roof flashings can go a long way in preventing potential problems.
To avoid roof leakage, you need to ensure the structure is regularly maintained and upgraded. This will help avert the damage caused by continued roof leaks thus helping you make significant cost savings in the long run.
Icicles
Icicles often form when snow melts and runs down your roof. During its descent from the gutters, temperatures are typically cold enough to the extent that the water freezes once again. This leads to the formation of icicles, which can spread to the entire roof if you fail to control them. Icicles not only damage your roof and its shingles but also poses great danger to anyone walking near your house especially when they break off the roof’s gutters.
It is advisable to ventilate and insulate your roof besides keeping your gutters free of debris and leaves, especially during fall. To prevent the formation of icicles during winter months, you should also remove ice and snow from your roof’s edges using a snow rake. Gutters that are never cleaned properly typically tend to get clogged as soon as winter sets in. This highlights the significance of getting rid of all of the debris from your roof. Sealing up al leaking points on your roof can also prevent the formation of icicles.
Strong Winds
Winter is characterized by strong winds and ravaging weather, which can destroy roofs whose structural integrity has been compromised. Many Minnesota roofs suffer from pulled up or peeled back shingles and damaged flashing as a result of strong winter storms. Winds can also rip off aging gutters from your roof. Once this happens, moisture can be driven into roof vents thus exposing your family and property to harsh weather. The strong winds experienced during Minnesota winters also make the roof susceptible to trees which are growing near your house.
It is advisable to check your roof before winter sets in to ensure it isn’t vulnerable to winter winds. While there’s little you can do to avert wind damage, anticipating the severe winds by reinforcing all components of your roof will help minimize the damage. It similarly helps you stay prepared to handle the eventual arrival of the winter season and the accompanying winds.
The roof definitely bears the brunt of harsh winter conditions by virtue of its prominent position on top of your house. It is meant to keep your family safe regardless of the weather outside. Keeping an eye on your roof in months preceding winter can help you pinpoint weak areas which can lead to bigger problems once winter sets in.
Are you looking for a professional in Minnesota to fix your roof ahead of the upcoming winter season? Contact Midwest Roofing, Siding & Windows today to benefit from the array of roof repair services on offer.