How Does Winter Weather Affect Your Roof?

Residents in the Kankakee area are no strangers to brutal winter weather. From strong winds to ice and snow, there are many factors that may affect the aesthetics and structural integrity of your roof and shingles. Here are some things you should know about how winter weather affects your roofing. 

Snow Can Damage Your Shingles 

Here in Illinois, it is not uncommon to see several inches of snow built up on your roof. Without durable shingles, that snow can lead to mass amounts of damage. Snow accumulation, along with the freezing and thawing cycles of ice and snow, can cause cracks and other forms of damage to your shingles. Mass amounts of snow on your roof can put strain on the structural integrity. When snow melts, it often freezes again overnight, which can lead to ice dams forming. Ice dams can cause leaking through the shingles on your roof. 

Removing snow from your roof using a roof rake can help avoid this damage, but it is crucial that you do not walk on your roof when snow and ice have accumulated on top of it. You can also avoid potential damage by ensuring your gutters are cleaned before it snows and by maintaining proper ventilation in your attic space. If you notice creaking, cracking, or water leaks in your ceiling after a heavy snow, contact a professional roofer immediately to get the damage fixed as soon as possible. 

The Freeze-Thaw Cycle

If you have had your roof for a while, there are likely to be small holes and gaps that don’t seem to be a problem - yet. The truth is, this damage accrues over time throughout the freeze-thaw cycle. What happens is, water seeps into these small gaps in your shingles when the weather is warmer. When temperatures turn freezing, this water expands, worsening the damage that was already there. Over time, this can lead to significant issues with your roof including water leaks. These water leaks can cause many issues such as mold and mildew growth. It is important to get any damage repaired when you notice it to prevent further issues down the road. 

Ice Dams Cause Roof Damage 

Have you noticed icicles coming down from your gutters? This can be a sign that an ice dam has formed on your roof. Ice dams occur when melting snow gets trapped behind chunks of ice that have formed on your roof and in your gutters from frozen snow or ice accrual. The melting snow, now water, can find its way under shingles and begin to leak into your attic and home. This water underneath the shingles also lessens their effectiveness. The best way to avoid ice dams is to remove any snow build-up from your roof as soon as possible and keep your gutters clear before snow falls. 

Has Your Roof Been Damaged by Winter Weather in Kankakee, IL & Surrounding Areas? 

If the roof on your Kankakee, Bradley, Bourbonnais, or Gilman home has been subjected to winter weather damage, it is time to look into roof repair! M&B Roofing has been providing the Kankakee area with high quality roof repairs for over 20 years! Our professional roofers will assess the damage and provide you with a quote for everything that needs to be fixed. Don’t let the damage build up and leave you with stressful and costly repairs in the future. If you have noticed damaged shingles, water leaks, or any other issues with your roof, contact us today for a free estimate!