The winter season can bring potential problems for your roofing system. If you see any signs of water, moisture or discoloration on the ceiling, your roof is likely leaking. There are many causes for winter weather roof leaks. To learn more about why your roof is leaking during the winter months, take the time to read this article from D & M Roofing.
1. Ice Dams
A poorly insulated roof with no proper ventilation may lead to the formation of ice dams. Warm temperatures in your attic cause condensation. As such, when the snow on your roof begins to melt and accumulate in your gutters, it can eventually cause ice dams. Over time, ice dams will start to melt and cause the freezing water to back up and cause leaks under your shingles.
To prevent ice dams, make sure to insulate your roof for your climate. This can also help lower your energy bills throughout the year. If you are experiencing leaks from ice dams, be sure to call your trustworthy roofing contractor. Removing them by yourself may cause more damage to your roof than the existing leak. Professional contractors have the experience and equipment to melt the ice dams properly without harming the rest of your roof.
2. Plumbing Issues
If you find the leaks near a plumbing fixture, water supply or drain line, it’s likely caused by plumbing-related leaks in homes, such as failing shower pans, over-flowed bathtubs, among other things. Water usually travels far from the source before it finds the path of least resistance. For this reason, you may see water leaking through the ceiling many feet from the source.
When they happen in the winter, many homeowners think it’s an ice dam. However, plumbing failures can occur at any time during the year. While plumbing issues can be difficult to fix, expert roofers use a thermal imager to check through walls and ceilings.
3. Attic Frost
Attic frost is not actually a “leak.” Nevertheless, should you see any signs of moisture or frost on the framing members or roof decking, it’s best to have it examined by a professional. In such cases, your attic may be poorly insulated and ventilated. Attic frost can cause severe damage and is most likely to accumulate when the temperature is quite low. As warm air meets the ice-cold roof deck, it can freeze into frost. When outdoor temperature increases, all of that frost will melt and has nowhere to go but the interior of the house.
4. Exhaust Vent Condensation
Just like attic frost-related leaks, an exhaust vent condensation issue is related to the accumulation of frost inside an exhaust vent, typically a bath vent duct where it travels through an unheated attic. To check if you’re dealing with this issue, you may want to review the fluctuating weather from the previous week. A sudden temperature change indicates that the source of the moisture is a condensation issue and not a roof leak. Even so, you should still contact your local roofing company for a thorough roof inspection.
For more inquiries about winter weather roof leaks, get in touch with D & M Roofing. Call us today at (330) 852-3800 or fill out our contact form to set an appointment. We proudly serve homeowners in Akron, Canton and surrounding OH areas.
