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Winter is almost here, and that means it’s time to get that coat out of storage, book those tickets for holiday travel, and start preparing your Christmas list. However, it also means being prepared for the changes that can happen in your house. Obviously, you’ll want to make sure your HVAC system is ready to face the colder temperatures, but it is important to anticipate changes that can happen to the exterior of your property as well—and in particular, to your roof. Keep reading to learn more about how winter weather affects your roof, and remember that for quality roofing services year-round, you can always trust our experts at Lyons Roofing.
4 Ways Winter Weather Can Damage Your Roof
- Fluctuating Temperatures: When the weather swings back and forth between hot and cold, it can start to damage the tiles and shingles on your roof, causing them to crack and break. Given the realities of climate change, it is now harder to maintain a consistent roof temperature year-round, so it is important to be prepared for how these fluctuations can affect your roofing system. Make sure your attic is properly insulated to help lock in temperatures and prevent moisture accumulation, and if you have any damaged tiles or shingles on your roof now, try to get them replaced at the beginning of the season.
- Heavy Winds: The strongest winds of the year often arrive during the winter, which means your roof is more at risk of having shingles blown off. Heavy winds can also damage your flashing, and often greatly wear down the ridges and rakes on your roof. We suggest having your roof inspected before this type of wind arrives, and winter storms start to pose a threat to your property. Granted, it usually doesn’t get too windy in Arizona, but as with fluctuating temperatures, it is still better to anticipate damage ahead of time rather than trying to get a handle on it after the fact.
- Water, Snow & Ice: As mentioned above, winter storms are extremely dangerous for your roof, and when rain hits your home repeatedly, it can result in leaks and a ton of other damage. This is another reason it is a good idea to schedule roof maintenance early on, so you can catch cracks and holes in your roof before you end up with a major leak. Remember, enough rain over a sustained period of time can cause spots in your roof to become very weak, so it is always a good idea to have a professional do this, rather than taking on the risk yourself. Many parts of the country also have to worry about snow building up on the roof, not only causing leaks but freezing and refreezing, leading to dangerous water damage. This turns into an even more perilous situation when this buildup leads to ice dams over the roof, which are very dangerous for people and for roofing systems. The good news is that in Arizona, there are not as many places that get heavy snowfall, so while it is possible for this kind of weather to cause a roof collapse in a worst-case scenario, you probably won’t have to worry about this (especially if you have a well-maintained roof.)
- Hail: An oft-overlooked danger to your roof, hail is bad for all roofing systems. It can damage ridge caps, chip away at your shingles, and dent metal roofs. Unfortunately, it’s hard to prevent hail damage except by ensuring you have the strongest roofing materials possible. Fortunately, our skilled roofers at Lyons offer lots of heavy-duty options, so if you need to repair or replace your roof, it will last for years to come.
To learn more about roofing options today, call (520) 447-2522, or contact us online.
