Snowy roofs, ice dams, and hail are only the beginning of New England roofing problems. New England winters are no joke. They are brutally cold, come with extreme weather, and in some cases, homeowners can’t detect the damage until spring comes. By that time, there’s a high possibility of extensive damage that may even still remain unseen and unaddressed.

Moisture Problems

Moisture is a massive problem, but many people see that as a “summer issue.” That’s not the case because, through most of the winter, your roof is encased in water, ice, or snow. At many times, it has all three on the roof at once!

What happens is that as snow melts, that water runs off and hopefully makes it to the gutter without refreezing—more on that problem in a moment. But even when the water gets all the way to the gutter, the moisture from that melting process always gets into the attic. Homeowners must carefully monitor their attic for moisture during the winter to ensure that there’s not unwanted growth.

Winds and Hail

High-speed winds are a serious issue in New England, and it often comes with hail. The most serious risks here are punctures, tears, and missing shingles. This type of damage happens with wind and hail, and it’s best to make repairs as quickly as possible. If you notice missing shingles in September, don’t wait until the next spring to fix them.

Ice Dams

Ice dams happen when melted snow refreezes before it makes it off the roof. That can cause serious damage to shingles, but also to the carpentry of the roof, which leads us to the most serious concern.

Roof Collapse

Roofing collapse often happens because of the weight of snow and sometimes ice dams. The ice dams can put added weight onto the roof. It can also prevent snow from falling off the roof the way that it should. This isn’t the exaggerated situation that you see in shows. Often a roof collapse is a partial collapse into the attic, but still serious all the same.

Ultimately, the best way to handle any of these winter problems is to prepare through the summer and fall. Keep your roof in top shape and consider heated gutter systems to keep snow moving.

Sponsored by Roofer Portsmouth NH