4 Kinds of Roof Damage You Won’t Notice Until Spring

As winter comes to an end, many homeowners assume their roof made it through the season just fine. However, damage caused by snow, ice, and freezing temperatures isn’t immediately obvious. In fact, some of the costliest roofing issues only become noticeable once temperatures rise and spring rain arrives.

Because winter damage often develops slowly, many of these issues remain hidden until warmer weather exposes them. Once spring breaks, homeowners discover a whole host of leaks, cracks, and other nuisances that can cost them a lot down the line.

1. Shingle Damage

Roof shingles are designed to protect the inner components of your roof from the elements throughout the year, but winter creates unique stressors. During volatile winters, such as this year’s, shingles are often subjected to repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Warmer temperatures melt the snow and ice piling on the roof, which then refreezes once the temperature drops again. The newly reformed ice works its way under and in between your shingles, expanding once frozen to create a number of problems, including:

·       Cracked and split shingles

·       Loosened shingles

·       Dissolved adhesive

·       Lost and washed away granules

In the spring, these damages can appear as deformed shingles, bald spots in your roof, and more serious roofing issues down the line. Inside the home, shingle failure may reveal itself as water stains on ceilings or walls, especially after prolonged rainfall. If left unaddressed, damaged shingles can expose the roof decking and underlayment, leading to more extensive repairs.

2. Excessive Weight Load

Not all snow is created equal. Heavy and wet snow can weigh tens if not hundreds of pounds per square section of roof. When snow piles up over time, it creates constant pressure on your roofing system, especially if you have a relatively flat or low-sloping roof. This may even be worsened by any ice dams or icy accumulation near the edges of your roof. Excessive weight can cause:

·       Stress on roof trusses and rafters

·       Subtle sagging in the roof deck

·       Pre-existing structural weaknesses to worsen

·       In extreme cases, partial roof collapse

Damages from the weight of snow and ice can also be subtle or unnoticeable at first. That is, until spring rolls around. Homeowners may notice any of the following, which only worsen with time:

·       An uneven roofline

·       Cracks in the interior drywall and ceilings

·       Doors and windows suddenly sticking

3. Gutter and Fascia Damage

Fascia boards and gutters take an especially hard beating during winter months. As snow melts off the roof and water refreezes in the gutters, it creates heavy ice dams. This ice can block proper drainage, forcing water to back up onto the roof or spill over the edges. The weight of ice-filled gutters can:

·       Pull gutters away from the house

·       Bend and break gutter brackets

·       Crack and rot fascia boards

·       Damage soffits beneath the roof edge

As ice dams form, water may also be pushed behind gutters and into areas not designed to handle moisture. When the ice finally melts, gutter and fascia damage becomes much more apparent. You might see:

·       Gutters that are sagged, tilted, or outright detached

·       Visible gaps between fascia and gutters

·       Rotted and softened wood along roof edges

·       Peeling paint or stains on fascia

You may also notice water overflowing from gutters during spring rainstorms, indicating blockages or improper slope caused by winter damage. Left untreated, these issues can lead to moisture intrusion behind siding and into the home’s framing.

4. Flashing and Seal Failures

Areas where the roof connects to features like chimneys, vents, skylights, and valleys are especially vulnerable to winter weather damage. Ice and snow can force its way into the joints of these features, attacking the flashing and seals. Homeowners might find:

·       Cracked sealants

·       Loosened flashings

·       Shifted or out-of-alignment flashings

·       In severe cases, gaps around roof penetrations

Even minor winter weather can compromise the strength of these areas. In the spring, they become the prime suspect of roof leaks. Spring rain leaks in around your chimneys and skylights because of the gaps and weakened sealants caused by winter weather over time.

What Can I Do About Winter Damage Now?

Damage from ice, snow, and other harsh winter conditions isn’t always a big, dramatic incident. Often, the damage is quiet, piles up over time, and starts to make itself known through little issues, like sudden moisture in the home or ugly bald patches in your shingles. Over time, however, they can grow into sizeable and expensive damages.

Luckily, you can circumvent many of those big catastrophic events with simple proactive maintenance. By tackling minor repairs now, you can avoid damage to the inner layers of your roof, saving you from the cost of a major repair and giving you the peace of mind that you’ll need to prepare for the upcoming storm season.

If you’re unsure about the condition of your roof after winter, a professional inspection can help identify hidden issues before spring storms arrive. Our team has been serving Kansas City homeowners for nearly two decades, and we’re here to help. Contact us today to schedule a free inspection!