The roof and the exterior of our homes take the brunt of weather conditions. Heavy rains, high winds, and hail can cause damage to our roofs. Homeowners may not realize the full extent of roofing damage until it’s too late. It is important to be proactive and have your roof inspected after a bad storm.
Here are several effects of bad weather on the roof;
Damaged roofing materials.
This is a common result of heavy winds or hail. Damaged roofing materials can lead to leaks, which may cause extensive damage below the damaged area. Wind can loosen roofing tiles, shingles, and flashing. Heavy rains can cause the wood sheathing underneath the roof to rot. This can lead to leaks and even structural damage. Bad weather might even cause the roof to collapse completely.
Storms with high-velocity winds frequently snap gutter brackets off roofs, leaving them hanging at odd angles or completely disconnected from other parts of the house. When this happens during a rainfall event, it is virtually impossible for standing water not to back up onto the top of your roof, where it can remain until the next rainfall event, when it will be pushed off your roof by downspouts.
Lifted shingles.
Heavy rain due to a storm can leave behind puddles on your roof that are often held there by lifted shingles. This results in interior water damage under these areas as water seeps through into the home’s ceiling and walls.
Bad weather can drive moisture underneath shingles or other types of materials used on roofs. This leads to mold growth around vents and other areas inside your attic space. The bad smell indicates that you might have a problem with excess moisture buildup under the roof decking material or between rafters and joists. You should get this checked out by a professional right away since it may also lead to structural damage over time if not addressed properly at once.
Damaged gutters and downspouts.
Gutters and downspouts are essential in managing water runoff from the roof. If they become clogged with debris, they will not be able to do their job properly, leading to water infiltrating the home through the roof or walls.
Unprotected gutters and downspouts cause water accumulation near the foundations of homes. This happens when leaves block drains that accumulate with rainwater from heavy storms; however, clear drainage prevents roof and foundation damage.
Ice dams.
Icicles are beautiful, but they’re also dangerous. They form when water freezes on the roof’s edge and backs up under the shingles. The added weight of the ice can cause gutters and downspouts to pull away from the house and eventually lead to water infiltration inside your home.
The freezing and thawing of snow and ice on roofs can cause water to back up under shingles, into the soffit, and even into the attic. This will lead to water damage inside your home. It is important to properly insulate your attic space and keep eaves troughs clear of debris to prevent this from happening.
These are some of the ways bad weather can impact your roof. It is important to be proactive and have your roof inspected after a bad storm. If you notice any signs of damage, don’t hesitate to call Caddillacs Roofing for help.
How to protect your roof from bad weather?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to protecting roofs from bad weather. Property owners need to understand what contributes most to the strength and durability of their roofs before taking steps toward protection against heavy winds, ice build-up, or storms.
Here are some things you should be aware of when trying to protect their homes;
- Consider installing a roof system with standing seam panels that are secured into place directly on top of the structural decking and not just to the building’s frame. This will help prevent uplift forces from causing panels to lift off your home, which can increase its lifespan and resist water infiltration through gaps in seams.
- Install gutter guards or filters, so gutters don’t become clogged with leaves and debris over time, which also causes water accumulation near the foundations of homes. Make sure downspouts extend away from any areas where they could be compromised by ice dams or other types of precipitation buildup during winter months.
- Keep eaves troughs clean and clear if you notice damage due to heavy snow/ice build-up along the roof edge.
- Inspect your roof after severe weather conditions to look for any damage that may have been done to the roof and take corrective actions as soon as possible.
Homeowners need to be proactive in protecting their roofs from bad weather by understanding what contributes most to the strength and durability of their roofs and taking steps toward protection against heavy winds, ice build-up, or storms.
