How Did Your Roof Hold Up To Winter?
Winter in New Hampshire can be incredibly harsh on a roof. High winds, low temperatures, heavy snowfall, and icy conditions account for many roofing concerns each winter. As we head into a rainy spring season, we wanted to take a moment to talk about how your roof held up during these past months. As a homeowner, the last thing that you ever want is for a small roofing issue to become a larger problem!
Preventing problems before they occur
Our team of professionals have an abundance of experience dealing with roofs that have been through the ringer during the winter months. It is always best to try to prevent roofing problems before they occur. If you have concerns about your roof, there are a few things you can do now to help ensure that your roof does not become a larger expense in the coming months.
Perform regular checks: Perhaps you have some concerns about your roof following a recent windstorm. By performing regular checks on your roof, you can pick up on small issues before they become huge ones that may require a costly repair. We recommend that you try to check on your roof at least once a year, if possible.
Get your roof inspected: If you are unable to check on your roof up close, but you can see clear signs of damage, we recommend contacting a professional, like NH Grand Roofs, for a roof inspection. Following their evaluation, you will get a clear understanding of the overall integrity of your roof and if any repairs need to be made.
Given enough time, snowfall, ice, and wind will leave your roof susceptible to several different problems. Some of them are discovered immediately and need to be addressed immediately. While others are found from a visual inspection. Your home’s first line of defense is its roof. So, when it comes to protecting your home from the elements, nothing is more important than your roof.
Ice dams
Most ice dams are known for their ability to cause severe damage to a home. They can loosen shingles and rip off gutters. When left untreated, this can lead to water backing up under those shingles and actually draining into your home. Water that cannot properly drain itself, will eventually work its way under your roof covering, causing the water to flow into your attic space.
Ice dams are commonly caused by heat loss from inside the home, especially after a heavy snowfall. Ice dams can be a result of the heat from your home rising into your attic due to a lack of insulation and proper ventilation. During the day that heat loss will lead to melting. At night as the sun goes down and the temperatures drop below freezing, the melting will refreeze. This creates ice dams, which can cause serious roof damage, mold, and more if not properly fixed.
When replacing a roof that has been damaged due to ice dams and its aftereffects, a professional contractor is also going to focus on properly ventilating your attic and roof space to avoid a similar scenario happening in the future. This will include proper ventilation such as soffit and ridge vents for proper airflow, and cap shingles as necessary to allow the roof to breathe.
Protecting your home
During a new roof installation, a professional will first apply a minimum of 6-feet of ice and waterproof underlayment on al edges, valleys, and penetrations. Then, a synthetic water resistant underlayment on the rest of the roof. This serves as a moisture barrier and first line of defense. Next, they will begin to lay down and secure the shingles. The most common type of shingles used in North America are asphalt shingles. They are known for their durability, affordability, and are available in a wide range of colors. The shingles installed by our professionals are Made in New England, so they are designed to withstand the New England elements.
Should you find that your roof is missing shingles, has a leak, there are shingles resting on your gutters, or you notice more visible signs of damage, it is time to call us!
Learn more about the products used by NH Grand Roofs to protect your roof.
