Keeping Your Home Safe During The Winter

Winter is a rough time for most people, and if you live in an area where the temperature gets very cold and it snows often, your home is at risk for damage. During the winter, the two most important parts of your home to keep an eye on are the roof and siding. Snow and ice can damage these aspects of your home, and if you don’t get it fixed it could lead to even more damage.

The Roof

If you get a lot of snow and ice in the winter, your roof can be at great risk. Your roof is one of the home’s first defenses against the frigid air and icy snow, so it is important to understand how it can be affected during these winter months. This is especially important if you live in an area that receives a lot of snowfall during the winter. As snow piles up on your roof, it becomes a lot heavier than you might think, and the longer it sits there the more likely it is to experience stress. The weight of snow and ice can even cause your roof to cave in if it is too much for the roof to handle.

As the ice melts it can create what is known as ice dams, which are caused by melting snow that runs down the roof and then freezes at the edge. Ice dams can detrimentally damage your roof by causing cracks and making existing cracks larger. When the snow melts it can seep into the existing cracks, then when it freezes again it will expand and create an even bigger crack. Over time this can create serious problems and cause leaks in your roof.

This ice and snow can also weigh down and clog your gutters, which are an essential part of the roofing system. To be more conscious of the potential damage your roof is enduring during the winter, there are a few signs you can look out for including the following.

●      Missing or damaged shingles

●      Buildup of ice or snow in the gutters

●      Pooling water

●      Darker areas on the roof

●      Leaks

When you notice these signs, it is important to contact a roofing company to have it fixed as soon as possible. The longer you allow damage to go unfixed, the more complicated and expensive it is going to be to have it fixed, and it is much better to just call a roofer than also having to hire a plumber, painter, contractor, or more. 

Siding

As with your roof, siding is an important layer of protection for your home. There are various types of siding, and each one can become damaged from the snow, ice, and wind during the winter. The signs of damage can be different for certain materials like wood and vinyl. Wood siding has a coat of lamination, and heavy snowfall over time can wear this lamination away. Without the lamination, the wood is exposed to moisture which can lead to mold and rotting. If you don’t catch the rot soon enough, it can become a massive problem in the long run. Rotting wood siding can cause damage to the structure of your home, the roof, as well as the interior.

When it comes to vinyl siding, extremely low temperatures can make the siding brittle and cause it to crack and break. Once vinyl siding has been damaged like this it cannot be repaired and you will be forced to replace it. Not only will replacing it be expensive, but the cracks also allow cold air and moisture to seep into your home and for the heat to escape.

In some areas, winter storms can actually cause some parts of the siding to fall off, and without the siding fully intact the interior of your home becomes exposed to the elements. It is important to check your siding regularly to make sure none of the pieces have become dislodged, and if they have you should fix it as soon as possible. Getting these pieces fixed will help prevent them from coming off if a storm comes, and it will make your home more protected over time.

Jenn Walker is a freelance writer, blogger, dog-enthusiast, and avid beach goer operating out of Southern New Jersey.