Common Causes of Winter Roof Leaks for Residential Roofs
Monday, January 15th, 2018 at 8:00 am , By C Plus Roofing
Winter is never a good time for roof leaks to occur. But it happens. Overtime, roofs become more susceptive to leaks, especially during the cooler months of the year. The causes of these winter roof leaks can vary based on many factors.
To help you identify the potential sources of leaks for your residential roof, we have put together the following list of common causes of winter roof leaks:
- Structural Roof Damage: Pre-existing damage the any part of your roof structure makes it very easy for water to get inside your home.
- Cracked Flashing: Roof flashing is a common source of roof leaks. If they are cracked or damaged, it’s easy for water to get under your shingles since water typically flows down flashing into the eaves. Roof joints are one of the biggest vulnerabilities for winter roof leaks.
- Broken or damaged shingles: Winter storms have been known to damage or even blow shingles off your roof. Older shingles are often brittle and are not strong enough to withstand cold weather or strong winds.
- Ice damming: This is perhaps the most commonly cited reason for winter roof leaks. When these ridges of ice form, it prevents water from draining off your roof. The longer it sits on your roof, the increased chance it will cause some form of water damage.
- Clogged gutters: Gutters play a key role in helping water escape from your roof. If they are clogged, water and ice can build up or pool on your roof. Make sure you clean your gutters in the fall to prevent this from happening.
Get More Residential Roofing Tips
Get more residential roofing tips by checking out these blog posts by our roofing experts:
Shingled Roofs – Here’s How they Stand Up Against Winter Weather
Top 3 Reasons Why a New Roof Will Make Your Home Energy Efficient
