You want a safe home. You want a warm home. And of course, you want an energy-efficient home. Do you know what can help you achieve all of these goals? Your roof. That's right, if you call up a roofer and tell them about your desires, they can recommend some roofing repairs or materials to help you achieve those desires. They may recommend a metal roof, or they might recommend adding zinc strips to the roof peak. It all depends. One thing we can promise, though, is that learning more about roofing is a good idea. This blog is a good resource, but we recommend looking for other ones, too.
Dealing With Ice This Winter? 4 Signs Your Roof Has Sustained Some Damage
If you've endured an icy winter, there's a good chance that your roof has sustained some damage. You might not realize this, but exposure to ice can cause serious damage to your roofing, especially where composite shingles are concerned. If you have composite shingles, now's the time to inspect your roof for signs of ice damage. You'll want to look for the signs described below. If you discover any of these issues during your inspection, you'll need to take care of repairs as quickly as possible. This is especially important if you're expecting a lot of rain this spring.
Shingle Separation
If you've had a layer of ice coating your roof all winter long, take a close look at the shingles, especially along the edge of the roof. Moisture from the ice can cause the shingles to separate. When this happens, the moisture can carry through to the underlayment, which can increase the risk for roof leaks. If you're not sure how to check for separation, gently lift the lower edge of the shingles. If the shingles lift easily off the roof, you need to call for repairs right away.
Smooth Shingles
If you've been dealing with fluctuating temperatures this winter, and the ice on your roof has been going through a freeze/thaw cycle, it's time to check the texture of your shingles. This is especially important if you've had sheets of ice sliding off your roof all winter long. The sliding motion can cause the composite granules to come loose. When that happens, they'll come off with the ice. If you spot smooth sections on your composite shingles, you'll need to schedule roof repairs before spring arrives.
Indentations
If you've had large chunks of ice form on your roof and those chunks have come loose, you'll need to inspect for signs of cracks or indentations in the shingles. The weight of the ice and the sharp edges can cause indentations and cracks to form on the shingles. If that happens, you need to have the shingles replaced right away. Without proper repairs, your roof might leak when the rains arrive this spring.
Water Stains
If you've had a freezing winter this year and your roof has been covered in ice, it's time to inspect your ceiling. You might think that ice damage is only visible on the roof, but that's not the case. Ice damage can also be visible on your ceiling. This is especially true if the ice has melted and soaked through the shingles. If you see water stains on your ceiling, you need to contact a roofing company right away. Those stains are a sign that the ice is melting and soaking through the underlayment.