From ice dams to moisture in the attic to wind damage, you may face many concerns about your home’s roof as winter makes its sure and steady approach. Here are the top three winter roof concerns for homeowners in the Merrimack Valley, Southern New Hampshire and beyond.

1.    Attic Condensation

Moisture in the attic is not a good thing. This happens when cold surfaces come into contact with warm air. Condensation occurs in attic spaces that are improperly ventilated and insulated. This allows too much cold air to seep in from the roof, consequently making your HVAC system have to work overtime and wasting heat. On top of that, it causes moisture to build up inside your home. When condensation forms, it leads to the growth of mold and small leaks that can result in drywall issues and wood buckling.

Make sure you have sufficient insulation and be sure to regulate the attic’s temperature. Use ventilation to keep the temperature consistent, avoiding heat buildup that melts snow on the roof.

2.    Icicles and Ice Dams

Ice dams and icicles form when freeze-and-thaw conditions happen – a common occurrence in the Northeast. This can pose a safety risk to anyone walking below your roof, but it’s also taxing on your gutter system. If enough ice builds up on your gutters, they can bend or break – a situation made worse when your gutters are filled with debris such as leaves. Before the first snowfall happens, make sure you clean out your gutters.  

Ice dams are dangerous blocks or thick sheets of ice that hang over your home’s eaves. When the snow melts, that water runs down your roof, then it re-freezes at the edges. They’re inconvenient and unsightly, to be sure, but they also signal insufficient insulation and venting in the attic. You can add more insulation, add more venting, or close up attic bypasses to remedy this.

3.     Strong Winds

It wouldn’t be a winter storm without heavy winds, right? As you know, wind can cause more damage than the largest amount of snow. Wind poses a big danger to any roof, but especially to homes with heavy tree canopies that over hang onto it. Wind blows shingles loose, pulls apart flashing and rips aging gutters from the house. Tree limbs can fall and puncture your roof, causing leaks and structural damage, so be sure to trim back any vegetation and overhanging tree limbs now so you can prevent falls and punctures later. Bonus: this also discourages unwelcome critters from getting onto your roof and into your attic.

Contact Hi-Tech Windows and Siding

If you need any roof repairs due to winter storms, or if you would like an inspection before winter even hits, feel free to contact us at 800-851-0900 or Request a Quote online.