Winter Roof Problems (& How to Fix Them)
Prepare for Michigan’s harsh winters by knowing how to fix and prevent these four common roof problems.
Prepare for Michigan’s harsh winters by knowing how to fix and prevent these four common roof problems.
We don’t need to tell you that Michigan winters are harsh. While some issues, such as attic condensation and ice dams, are more noticeable in winter, some types of damage often remain unseen. And, for many homeowners, winter isn’t a time when you’re often outside, let alone looking at your roof.
For many homeowners, it’s easy to remember to schedule furnace tune-ups or shut off outdoor water supplies when temperatures are regularly below freezing, but many people forget about the most important part of their homes—the roof.
Can you imagine living in a home without a roof? We don’t want to!
And while neglecting your roof doesn’t mean you’ll wake up and find it completely gone one day, what it does mean is you’re less likely to catch and resolve problems that can result in water damage, air drafts, foundational issues, and costly structural damage.
So, as a homeowner committed to being vigilant this year, what should you be on the lookout for?
Snow that accumulates on your roof will eventually melt. On many properties, heat from the attic causes this snow to melt. However, this snowmelt isn’t uniform, and the snow can refreeze as it reaches the edge of the roof and the gutters, where the roof isn’t as warm, creating an ice dam. Once an ice dam forms, it prevents any subsequent snowmelt from reaching the gutters and properly draining away from the home, leading to sagging gutters, shingle damage, leaks, and wood rot.
Ice dams will be noticeable. They’re not quite icicles, but they’re small-to-large formations that, you guessed it, are made of ice. They can be wide, long, or small. Regardless of the size or shape, they’re not good for your roof.
Ice dams can cause:
The best way to remove an ice dam is to schedule professional removal services. Reputable contractors use a slow-melt technique with a steam machine to dissolve the ice dam without damaging the roof.
While it may be tempting, never use a hammer or chisel, which is a great method for damaging your shingles. We also don’t recommend using a blow torch. Most of the time, it’s not a good idea to play with fire.
If ice dams are forming frequently, we recommend having them removed and then contacting your roofer. Be sure to photograph the ice dams, which will help your contractor understand what might be causing them.
While ice dams can be prevented, keep in mind that the roof’s pitch and design influence ice dam formation. If you have a multi-level roof or overhangs and eaves over unheated spaces, you’re more likely to experience ice dams just by the nature of your roof.
With that aside, the best prevention techniques include:
Condensation issues are easy to miss, but generally more noticeable during the winter or false spring when temperatures fluctuate. However, moisture in the attic is likely to turn into mold or mildew, which can create larger problems, including wood rot.
Multiple factors can cause attic condensation, and these events can be whole-house issues or singular (localized/isolated). Some of the most common causes of attic condensation include:
If you notice attic condensation, don’t assume that your whole attic system is failing; most often, it’s one specific problem in one specific location and can be fixed based on the cause (e.g., adding insulation to a gap, sealing air leaks over a kitchen, redirecting a bathroom fan, etc.).
The most noticeable sign of attic condensation is moisture droplets in your attic, which will eventually lead to mold growth. Make a habit of visiting your attic every once in a while to check for mold.
Outside of mold, attic condensation can look like:
The most significant prevention technique is scheduling an attic inspection, preferably in the spring or fall, to identify potential airflow or insulation issues. It’s critical that you have a professional verify that components within your roofing system (including your attic) are working.
We’ve seen issues ranging from bathroom fan vent kinks, insulation gaps, and lack of proper baffles in heavily insulated attics. The only way you can fix and prevent attic condensation is to ensure your system is working as intended, and that takes a professional.
While it’s easy to assume wind damage is higher in the stormy summer months, it’s actually worse in the winter because your trees don’t have leaves, which help shield the wind in late spring through summer.
These cold, biting, high winds aren’t just tough on humans—they’re tough on your roof, too.
When wind hits the roof, it creates low pressure above and high pressure below, lifting your shingles, especially near the roof’s edges, corners, and ridges. Once wind gets under a gap, even if it’s small, it creates powerful suction that can peel back entire sections.
If the shingles were installed incorrectly or the shingles’ adhesive strips have failed, they’re also more likely to get pulled off your roof during high winds. Likewise, if fasteners holding your flashing have started to loosen or are missing, high winds can cause your flashing to pop off, exposing wooden framing to the elements, and we don’t have to tell you that wood and water don’t mix.
In some cases, damaged sections of shingles can be replaced. However, if the damage is widespread and severe, a complete roof replacement may be necessary. Keep in mind that roof repairs are difficult to perform in the winter, although not impossible; damaged shingles may need to be covered to prevent further damage until the weather is more favorable. We always recommend getting replacements done in the spring, summer, and fall, and scheduling annual inspections before winter. However, if you do experience an emergency in the winter, repairs and replacements are still possible; it just takes more planning and coordination.
Hopefully, we don’t sound like a broken record, but the best way to prevent shingle damage is to catch issues early with a roof inspection. Outside of that, make sure you’re trimming tree branches away from your roof and removing dead trees near your property.
Everyone on Reddit believes they’re an expert, so don’t always trust what you read on those forums. We’ve seen countless DIYers online recommend Heat Tape to homeowners desperately trying to prevent ice formation.
Heat Tape isn’t as dangerous as wielding a torch or using a hammer or damaging de-icers to prevent ice formation, but:
If you want to prevent ice dams or ice formation on your roof, the best thing you can do is ensure your ventilation system is working as it should.
You’ll primarily notice shingle damage, which could look like dark streaks or discoloration from the tape, or granule loss, cracking, or curling from intense heat exposure. This type of damage looks nearly identical to standard wear and tear from aging, but it typically has a noticeable zig-zag pattern from the Heat Tape.
While some tasks, such as cleaning gutters, can be handled by the homeowner, significant roof damage should always be handled by a professional. Don’t attempt to fix leaks, repair shingle damage, or address ventilation problems on your own, because just one misstep could make everything worse.
We know saving a buck is important, but DIY work can sometimes cost more over time if the job isn’t done right.
Additionally, if you don’t know what the problem is but you suspect something is off, call a professional. It’s not worth waiting.
If you’re overdue for a roof inspection or need roof repairs, schedule a roof inspection with L&S Home Improvements today. We have over 75 years of combined industry experience providing roof repairs, replacements, gutter guard installations, and more to homeowners across southeast Michigan.
When you work with us, you can expect complete transparency every step of the way. We document our repair work through photographs and videos, which you’ll always have access to at no extra charge. We also ensure that any replacement shingles match the color of your existing shingles. If, for any reason, we are unable to provide an exact color match, we’ll let you know before we begin the repair job. Your satisfaction matters.
