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THIS WINTER WILL BE WARMER THAN USUAL — AND IT COULD SPELL TROUBLE FOR YOUR ROOF.
Most homeowners think of wind or hail as the main culprit of roof problems — but it’s snow, ice, and snowmelt that can really do some damage. Ice dams, temperature changes, and heavy snow loads can lead to broken shingles, water damage, and premature aging.
Will your winter roof damage cause you trouble during spring rainstorms of summer hail? It doesn’t have to. Call Champion Roofing to get the help you need!
Why Choose Us To Fix Your Winter Roof Damage?
SEASONED ROOFING EXPERTS
Our roofers are specially trained to handle roofing damage related to ice dams and other winter roofing conditions.
FREE DAMAGE CONSULTATIONS
We’ll thoroughly inspect your roof for damage and help you decide between repairs and replacement.
24/7 EMERGENCY SERVICE
We’re here when you need us to most — count on Champion Roofing for all your roofing needs.
5 WINTER ROOF DAMAGE ISSUES YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
1) ICE DAM FORMATION
Colorado winters are often showcased by large amounts of precipitation followed by drastic shifts in temperature. In simpler terms, it’s cold and snowy one day, warm and sunny the next, cold and snowy the next. This melting and freezing can be a problem for your roof. When snow melts, it drips down to the ends of your roof. Then it freezes again, leading to a thin layer of ice across the entire face of your roof. (This is why nobody should get up on their roof in the winter.)
The melting and freezing process will repeat itself until there are multiple layers of ice on your roof. Bottom layers of ice will be trapped beneath the top layers — and when those bottom layers melt due to the upward movement of heat through your home, the water will have no choice but to seep under your shingles and into your attic.
Meanwhile, snowmelt on top of the ice will get backed up, creating what is known as an “ice dam.” This allows more water to seep right under your shingles and into your attic. It’s a recipe for shingle damage, water damage, and poor energy efficiency.
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT IT?
The best way to prevent ice dams in the first place is make sure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated. This ensures that moisture levels remain low in the interior of your home.
Properly maintained and cleaned gutters (especially in the fall) will also help your roof move water off of your shingles and away from your home. Frozen water in your gutters is much better than frozen water under your shingles!
WHEN WINTER IS OVER...
If ice dams have peeled up shingles, removed shingles, or caused roof leaks, it’s time to call your local roofing contractor for help.
2) CICLE FORMATION
Icicles can quickly become falling projectiles that put you and your family at risk — but this is not the only way icicles can be dangerous. Icicles form in the same manner as ice dams (you rarely have one without the other), which means they can create air pockets, damage your shingles, and prevent water flow in your gutters. That’s just cold.
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT IT?
Better roofing insulation and the removal of roof leaks is the best way to avoid icicle-related damage. In terms of homeowner safety, dislodging icicles with a long-handled rake will prevent any icy accidents.
WHEN WINTER IS OVER...
If icicle formations have caused damage to shingles, roof edges, or gutters, call your roofer immediately to prevent further damage.
3) ATTIC CONDENSATION
Where there’s an ice dam and icicles, there’s attic condensation. Moisture that seeps through your roof and into your attic can cause a wide variety of problems, including mold growth, wood rot, poor energy efficiency, and damaged goods stored in the attic.
But most importantly, attic condensation can compromise the structural integrity of your roof. Wet insulation and roof panels can lead to wet flashing and roof shingles, which will inevitably lead to damaged shingles and premature aging of your roof.
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT IT?
You’ll need to take steps on both roof-side and attic-side to fix your attic condensation problems. Extensive roof repairs (or even a roof replacement) might be necessary, as is a good, hard look at your attic ventilation.
WHEN WINTER IS OVER...
Call a roofing contractor to check out your roof, especially before the rain and hail season arrives in Colorado.
4) HEAVY SNOW LOADS
Roofs are strong, but they’re not meant to bear a bunch of weight from snow and ice. If too much weight builds up, you’re at a real risk for a roof collapse and a ton of water damage. Not all snow is created equal. While Colorado mostly gets dry, powdery snow, a wet snow will occasionally roll through. Wet snow is two to three times heavier than dry snow.
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT IT?
There are a number of snow removal companies that are professionally trained to take large amounts of snow off of your roof for you. This can prevent collapses, ice dams, and more. Spend the money to hire a professional instead of getting on the roof yourself — there are plenty of things that can go wrong when bringing out the ladder and getting on your roof in the winter.
WHEN WINTER IS OVER...
Check your roof for any large depressions, and look in your attic for any water puddles or leaks. If heavy snow has weighed your roof down, it needs to be fixed as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could be in for bigger headaches and a bigger roof repair bill down the road.
5) RAPID TEMPERATURE CHANGES
Melt. Freeze. Sun. Snow. Warm. Cold. Colorado winters can give us chapped lips, frozen toes, a sun-tan, and whiplash in the same week. These temperature changes might be great for your spirits, but they certainly aren’t good for your roof. Rapid changes from hot to cold and back again can put a lot of strain on your shingles, making them dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage, leaks, and the like. When shingles break, water will ultimately find its way in.
WHAT DO I DO ABOUT IT?
You can’t change the weather, but you can certainly minimize roof aging and damage. Routine roof maintenance and repairs will ensure your roof has a long lifespan.
WHEN WINTER IS OVER..
Call your roofing contractor for a roof inspection. They’ll give you an update on the state of your shingles and other roofing components, and give you recommendations on whether to repair or replace your roof in coming seasons.
Colorado’s Top Certified Winter Roof Damage Specialists
Our family-owned roofing and exteriors company is fully licensed and insured, and has been providing our Colorado neighbors with superior-quality winter roofing services for many years. The Champion Roofing team provides versatile support for whatever your roof is facing this winter. We work with all different types of roofs and roof materials, including:
- Asphalt Shingles
- Metal Roofs
- Flat Roofs
- Slate
- Rubber Slate
- Wood Shake
- EPDM
- TPO
- PVC
- Modified Bitumen
- Built-up (BUR)
- Multi-Unit Roofing
- And More!
Has your Colorado home suffered winter damage? Whether it was from snow, high winds, or something else, our Northern Colorado-based roof repair and replacement company has you covered!
Common Issues that Impact Your Colorado Roof in Winter
- High winds can be a lot of trouble, loosening gutters and shingles and opening up your roof to being vulnerable to water damage and leaks.
- Ice dams are also quite common here, being the result of heat escaping your attic and melting the snow near the top of your roof. Then, when night falls or it gets colder again, it freezes once more, causing significant stress to your shingles, gutters, and the edge of your roof.
- Frozen gutters are often caused by ice dams, and this can of course lead to blockages and sitting water on your roof.
- Hail damage is another risk that we know all too well here in Colorado. Hail can cause severe damage to your roof, especially when it’s already rigid and under stress due to the cold winter weather.
Champion Roofing provides winter damage repair and restoration services for homeowners and businesses all across the Front Range. We provide free inspections and repair estimates, so you don’t have to worry about the impact on your wallet. If your property has suffered any type of damage this winter, connect with us today for an inspection and subsequent top-quality roofing craftsmanship you can count on!
Choose The Roof Repair Experts
Winter can do a lot of damage to your roof over time — but with the help of roofing experts, your roof will be back in perfect shape for summer. The roofers at Champion Roofing have spent over a decade helping Greeley, Loveland, and Fort Collins homeowners with their roofing issues — we’re here to give you peace of mind whether it’s sunny or snowy. Call us for a free estimate today.