Winter weather can be light and mild but can also hit fast and hard. Snowstorms that are predicted to be Armageddon end up being a light dusting of snow, and simply snowfalls end up wreaking havoc. That is the nature of the winter season.
Severe storms alone can put a house through its paces, but the ups and downs in the weather can have a significant impact. Similarly, roof damage can come in one fell swoop, or it can be the wear and tear over time that causes the problem.
But whatever the cause, roofing problems are always severe, but some are more urgent than others. Some things can wait until spring to be fixed, while others need to be addressed right away before they grow out of control and cause significant damage to your home.
In these cases, you’ll need fast and effective roof repairs to stop the problem in its tracks. But how do you tell which issues need to be addressed immediately? Read on to find out what problems should be having you reaching for the phone immediately and which can probably wait for warmer days.
Missing or Broken Shingles
Snow falling, melting, and freezing can put your roof through the wringer and add high winds to the mix, and it seems like a recipe for disaster. Shingles are important to your roof, but if you’ve noticed one or two missing ones or signs of damage, it likely isn’t cause for concern.
However, if there are many that have come loose or are breaking, getting them repaired quickly can help prevent further damage from melting snow seeping inside your roofing system, especially if winter storms are nowhere near finished yet.
It’s wise to get a roof inspection as part of your fall maintenance. By doing so, a roofer will fix any loose, broken, or missing shingles and get your roof in good condition before the winter storms begin.
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Ice Dams Forming
Icicles are one of the things about winter that can be incredibly pretty to look at but can do some serious damage. Ice dams form when snow melts, runs down your roof, and freezes again when it meets the colder edges of the roof.
They can cause significant damage to your home and are a safety issue as well to anyone passing underneath.
When the ice dams form, water backs up under the shingles, which can lead to damage to the roof structure and beyond.
If you begin to notice water stains on your walls or ceiling, it’s an indication of significant damage. The occasional icicle isn’t a cause to be alarmed, but if ice dams are a regular occurrence, you may want to call in some help.
Tree Damage
The amount of destruction wind can do often comes as a surprise. You never think it will uproot trees or knock over power lines, but it does. If a tree or branch falls onto your roof, this should be addressed immediately, whether signs of damage are obvious or not.
If a fallen branch or tree has collapsed part of your roof, that’s obviously a sign to pick up the phone, but even if there aren’t visible signs of damage and you’re getting ready to sigh in relief, you should still call a roofing company.
Damage isn’t always apparent, and they will be able to see things you won’t, saving you a lot of headaches later on.
