Your home’s roof is quite possibly the most important aspect of your home’s exterior. It provides the essential function of keeping your home protected from the elements and pests, but it also offers so much more, including curb appeal & insulation. Considering how important your roof is to your home’s exterior, it is important to ensure that it is kept in good repair, and the constant exposure to the elements certainly takes its toll. If you’re interested in learning a bit about how New England’s weather conditions can damage your roof, keep reading below for more information!
Sunlight
To begin, let’s examine the most common weather condition your roof will be exposed to; sunlight. Most homeowners are probably wondering how sunlight could possibly damage your roof, and it is generally subtle, but it has the ability to cause deterioration. When your roof faces constant exposure to harmful UV rays, it will eventually make your shingles brittle and lead to cracks, particularly if your shingles have also been losing their granules. Over time this can cause your shingle to fail, but they will likely have faced more damage from other weather conditions.
Wind
Another common condition that can cause significant damage is wind. While most modern roofing systems come fitted with starter shingles, which are designed to withstand high winds with extra adhesive, wind has the tendency to get under the edges of your roof and lift your shingles. New England is known for it’s high average wind-speeds, so if you notice any loose shingles on your roof, be sure to have them addressed before they start a domino effect on your shingles.
Rain
When it comes to damaging weather conditions, the number one answer on most homeowner’s minds is certainly rain. Rain can be tricky, because if your roof is well-maintained you have nothing to worry about. The danger with rain is that one small crack in your system can cause significant amounts of damage over time, and it can often go undetected until the damage is severe. The best way to prevent rain damage is to have your roof inspected on at least an annual basis to ensure that the system is still in good repair. Roof leaks can be hard to spot with the untrained eye so it’s best to enlist the help of professionals!
Snow
Lastly, for New England homeowners, snow can be another weather condition that results in water damage. The danger with snow is less about the snow itself, and more about what it can lead too; ice dams. Formed when the heat from your attic melts the snow, which refreezes in your gutter system, ice dams hold liquid water on your roof, which is a recipe for disaster. Ice dams will quickly cause your roof deck to become waterlogged, and you may need to replace significant portions on your roofing system. If you see an ice dam forming in your gutters, be sure to address it as soon as possible!
Contact Us Today
While the weather can damage your roof in a variety of ways, if you take a bit of care to perform the proper preventive maintenance, you can keep your home protected with ease! However, if your roof has been damaged and you’re in need of a replacement, our team at RIHI is ready to assist! Reach out to our team today by calling us at (866) 563-7293 or by filling out our team’s online contact form! We look forward to hearing from you and assisting with your roofing needs!
