Winter Roof Damage Repair

Ice dams are no big deal.

Ice dams occur when you have hot spots on your roof due to poor ventilation in your home. Essentially, your roof is warmer than it should be, causing the snow to melt. Water then flows between the snow and down to the eaves, where it freezes again. The repeats again and again until there is a massive, heavy piece of ice in your gutter. Over time, this can cause enormous damage to your gutter and with time, your roof. It’s important to take preventative steps to avoid this by properly insulating and ventilating your attic.

My roof can support heavy snow.

While roofs are specially designed to stand up to the test of many elements, but not the hundreds, sometimes thousands, of pounds of snow we receive in Illinois. We experience an average of five severe winter storms every year, which can mean feet of snow on your roof that threaten its integrity. Many people don’t address the snow on their roofs until it is too late and they collapse. It’s important to remove snow from your roof during the winter to prevent major damage.

I don’t need to worry about leaks in the winter.

Some people believe that because snow is frozen, it means that leaks don’t have to be a concern. In reality, snow that is sitting on your roof melts and can travel through your roof and into the walls and ceiling of your home. In fact, because snow builds up, creating more moisture, it is actually more likely for you to experience leaks during this time of year than in the spring or the summer. While your roof is designed to deal with flowing water, it has a more difficult time with the freezing, melting, and refreezing of winter precipitation. Rain cannot cause the kind of damage that snow can, such as physically pulling shingles apart.

I don’t need to inspect my roof this winter.

Actually, winter is the perfect time to check on your roof. Don’t wait until spring; head up to the attic and see what you can find. Often, pests will seek out your attic for refuge during the colder winter months. In addition, you should check and see if there is any condensation on the roof deck. This is common when you’re running the heat more — warm air can condense on the cold attic boards and cause mold. In addition, check in see if some places have more snow buildup than others, which indicates that there are hot spots on your roof. This means that your attic is not being properly insulated in all areas, which can aggravate ice dams. Finally, make sure to address any snow build up causing you issues.

I can’t have my roof replaced in the winter months.

Some people are under the mistaken impression that we can’t work on their roofs at all in winter. This is not true! At Bradley Marshall Roofing Co., we are committed to providing you with the roofing services you need on the North Shore, whether you’re in Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Libertyville, Highland Park, Glencoe, Wilmette, Winnetka, Barrington, Park Ridge, Evanston, Northbrook, Northfield, Glenview, Bannockburn, Lincolnshire, Inverness, or Hawthorn Woods. All we need to do is clear off the snow, do more safety checks, and dress in warmer clothing — easy! What’s more, we have fewer roof replacements in the winter, so we are more likely to be able to prioritize your project sooner than in the spring or summer.

1. Assess the damage from the winter storm to determine whether you need roof repair or roof replacement.
2. Restore your roof to its best possible condition.
3. Make sure your roof is up-to-code and set to last you for years to come.

Don’t wait for your roof is be in a dire situation due to winter storm damage. The sooner we can begin your roofing repair, the better able we will be to help you. At Bradley Marshall Roofing Co., we are committed to helping you make the most out of your roof, all year long.

You might think that your roof is safe from winter storm damage, but why take the risk? We are happy to come out for a roof inspection to help you determine if there are any weak spots on the roof of your North Shore home. We would love to help you avoid serious damage during this harsh Illinois winter.