The winter months can be hard on your roof, even in Oklahoma where the winters are more mild than some northern states. While we’ve enjoyed a temperate winter this year for the most part, there’s still a chance we see one or two more wintry storms before we get to spring. With that in mind, here are three issues to watch for that cause serious damage to your roof.
- Condensation
This is a product of improper insulation and ventilation in your attic. Condensation forms when the warm air from your home comes in contact with the cold air from outside. This results in moisture building up and can cause mold and mildew to form. To combat this, it’s important that your roof and attic are both properly sealed and insulated to prevent cold air from getting in. Additionally, properly ventilating your attic will prevent condensation from settling if it does form. Instead, the ventilation will help condensation evaporate before mold and mildew is able to grow.
- Ice dams
In the fall, we all check our gutters for obstructions like leaves and dirt. Few of us think about obstructions occurring during the winter months, but snow and ice storms can result in ice dams. These often happen when water sits in your gutters and then freezes. The resulting ice then keeps melting snow and ice from the top of your roof from getting through. What you’re left with is lots of water with no where to go and, usually, it ends up seeping into cracks in your home’s exterior where it can again cause mold and mildew. Your first step to preventing ice dams from forming is ensuring your gutters are free of any foreign objects before the first snow storm. It might also be worth it to check your gutters after a freeze to clear out any lingering ice. Attic ventilation can be helpful here too. If any water should get in, the ventilation will help it evaporate.
- Icicles
While many of us think icicles are a beautiful sign of winter, they’re also harmful both to your home and potentially to you and your family. They form under similar conditions as ice dams when water from your roof is unable to flow freely through your gutters. In many cases, there’s no good way to completely prevent the formation of icicles, but keeping your gutters clear will certainly help. From there, it’s important to simply knock them down periodically. Allowing them to accumulate creates the possibility that one may fall on a person. And, during longer cold snaps, icicles can actually create enough wait to damage gutters and your roof.
Whether or not we’re in store for another winter storm this season, these tips are helpful for keeping your home safe for winters to come.
If you’re ready to have a new home to care for by next winter, contact us at Perry Hood Properties. We have a variety of move-in ready homes in Tulsa, Bixby and Broken Arrow, or can help you create your own home using our floor plans.