Common Causes of Roof Leaks During the Winter

The cold winter months can take a toll on your roofing system, so it’s important for homeowners to ensure that their roof is ready to handle the brunt of the winter season. One of the most common issues many homeowners deal with is roof leaks, which is common during the winter. In this post, Hunterdon Roofing, Siding and Window Company, the leading roof and siding replacement expert, shares the common causes of roof leaks during the winter.

Clogged or Leaky Gutters

Remember that your gutters serve as your roof’s first line of defense against moisture and water damage. This is why you want to ensure that they’re free of debris so that they won’t clog up. Make sure that you remove the dirt, debris, and leaves that are trapped in them so that issues such as leaks and overflowing won’t occur. Other issues that you have to be concerned about include water pooling, refreezing, and ice dam formation.

Ice Dams

Ice dams are pools of water that have frozen on the edges of your roof which prevents water from draining on your roof. If the dams grow thick enough, water could back behind the dam and affect other parts of your home, such as the siding, which can be costly to repair or replace. You should also ensure that your attic is well insulated so that the trapped heat can melt the snow on top.

Deteriorated Roofing Shingles

The harsh, cold weather can accelerate the deterioration of your roofing shingles and membranes, which makes them brittle and prone to cracking. Thankfully, there are a lot of warning signs that you can look out for that indicate that your roof is approaching the end of its service life, but some of them are subtle to the point that it requires the skilled eyes of a contractor to spot. This is why it’s important to have your roofing system checked periodically for any issues.

Looking for master craftsmen to handle your future roof and siding installation project? Look no further than Hunterdon Roofing, Siding and Window Company! We’re a local home improvement company with over 40 years of experience. Call us at (908) 735-0809 or fill out our contact form for a free estimate.