7 Cold Weather Roofing Problems and How to Solve Them

From heavy winds and snow to ice dams and critters, cold weather roofing problems can quickly ‘snowball’ into major issues. Discover the most common cold-weather roofing problems and helpful solutions straight from a roofing expert. 

#1: Heavy Winter Winds

Ontarian winter winds can be savage, causing major damage issues for homeowners every year. Strong winds can peel or pull back shingles, damage flashing, back up gutter drainage, or move moisture into your ventilation system. Additionally, strong gusts of wind can cause branches or debris to impact the roof, causing punctures, cracks, or other types of damage.

How to Prevent Wind Damage on Your Roof

We can’t change the weather to stop this cold weather roofing problem, but we can take steps to keep our roofs strong against the forces of nature. Regular roof inspections can help identify any damage while trimming trees close to the roof can also help reduce falling debris. Wind-resistant shingles or cold-weather roofing materials are especially helpful in areas with high wind speeds.

If you notice wind damage on your roof, call a professional roofing contractor ASAP. Once that protective barrier between your roof and home is damaged, it’s critical to assess the damage and make any emergency repairs before the issue worsens. 

#2: Condensation

Condensation is a common problem during the winter, as warm, moist air from inside your home meets a cold roof surface causing insulation damage, mold growth, water damage, and more.

When insulation becomes wet from condensation, it reduces its ability to maintain your home’s heat and energy efficiency. Wet insulation can also become a breeding ground for mold and mildew, leading to structural weakening and potential health problems for your family. As the moisture builds up, it can also lead to leaks and water damage to the home’s interior, including walls, ceilings, and floors.

To prevent the effects of condensation on roofs, homeowners can take several steps. Ensuring proper ventilation in the attic can help reduce the buildup of warm, moist air. Installing a vapor barrier can also help to prevent condensation from forming on the roof surface. Also, proper insulation can help keep the warm air inside the home, reducing the likelihood of condensation developing on the roof.

How to Prevent Roof Condensation

Prevent condensation through proper roof ventilation, vapor barriers, and insulation. Prevent ridge vent problems by installing ridge and soffit vents to improve ventilation for maximum airflow. You should also keep your attic the same temperature as your roof so condensation can’t occur. 

#3: Tree Limbs & Branches

Trees are a beautiful addition to your landscaping, but they can quickly become a potential danger to your roof as winter weather causes branches or limbs to break and damage your home. As snow accumulates on branches, the weight can cause them to break or bend and fall.

Branches can puncture or crack the shingles, leaving the roof exposed, or cause damage to the flashing, leading to water leaks. Tree limbs and branches can also cause damage to gutters and downspouts. If a branch falls and hits the gutters, they can detach from the roof, leading to water, siding, and foundational damage. This can be particularly problematic if the drains become clogged with leaves or debris, as it can exacerbate the problem even further.

How to Prevent Tree Limb or Branch Damage

Regular tree trimming is a must, especially for trees that grow close to your home. Remove dead limbs or branches growing within 6 feet of your home. You can also reinforce your roof’s structure or use impact-resistant roofing materials to minimize damage from falling branches.

If tree branches damage your roof during a storm, cover the affected area with a tarp, secure it with nails, and call a roofing company that can assess the damage and give you a roofing repair cost estimate. 

#4: Ice Dams

Canadian regions that receive heavy snowfall and low temperatures leave homes prone to ice dams. Roof ice dams form when warm air rises from the attic and melts snow on the roof, flowing and refreezing as it reaches cold edges at the eaves or gutters. Over time, the ice accumulates, causing water to back up under the shingles and eventually enter your house.

An ice dam can cause significant structural damage to your roof. The ice buildup’s weight can cause the roof to sag or collapse, and the backed-up water can make its way into your roof’s underlayment, causing issues with rot and mold growth. Old and new homes are both susceptible to ice dam formation if they aren’t built with sufficient insulation and ventilation. 

How to Prevent Ice Dams

Your first step in ice dam prevention is to install proper attic ventilation and insulation so that your roof maintains a consistent temperature. Insulation shouldn’t be too tightly packed against the roof as it limits airflow and increases condensation potential. If you rid your roof of warm and cold spots, water won’t move through the freeze/thaw process that causes ice dams. 

Try ice dam removal using roof melt products designed to help. Fill pantyhose with calcium chloride and place them along your roof’s edge or try a more permanent but costly fix, like heated cables that run along your roof’s edge to manage your roof’s temperature. 

#5: Icicles

Icicles can add a picturesque touch to your home in the winter but can also cause roof damage. When melted snow refreezes at your roof’s edge, dripping water creates these pointed formations - when they become too large, their weight becomes problematic. 

Should I worry about icicles?

Heavy icicles can pull down your home’s gutters and downspouts, causing them to detach, leaving the roof exposed to water damage, and allowing water to seep into its siding and foundation. Your roof can crack or, in the worst cases, warp or collapse. There’s also the matter of safety for those walking below large icicles!

How to Prevent Icicles on Roof

Try heating cables or deicing systems to prevent snow accumulation and reduce icicle formation. If you can safely do so, use a long-handled snow rake to remove snow and ice from your roof’s edges. Gently scrape icicles away while staying far enough away to avoid any danger as they fall. 

Do icicles mean poor insulation?

They often do. Much like with ice dams, you can avoid the thaw/freeze cycle that causes ice to form with proper ventilation and insulation. 

#6: Winter Critters

While squirrels in roof gaps, a raccoon on roof surfaces, or any other unwelcome critters are a year-round issue, these problems crop up and become especially problematic during the winter months. 

When the temperatures drop, these critters look for a way into warmer shelter, finding gaps in your roof or gnawing and ripping to create their own. 

How to Prevent Critter Roof Damage

You can prevent the effects of critters on roofs by sealing off potential entry points and ensuring that the attic and crawl spaces are well-insulated. Keep these spaces free of debris and have any minor roof issues dealt with before an animal comes along to take advantage of a weak point. 

If critters have already established a home in your roof, call a local animal control company to remove them and repair the gaps immediately. 

#7: Roof Leaks 

Roof flashing, the aluminum pieces around vents, pipes, chimneys, and roof edges help bridge your roof’s gaps. Roof and flashing leaks commonly happen during the winter, especially with older flashing that has started to rust. 

As snow and ice accumulate on your roof or flashing chimney areas, it can create weak areas that cause cracks and leaks. 

How to Prevent Roof Leaks

You can prevent roof leaks by regularly inspecting the roof and having professionals perform roof flashing repairs promptly. Address any signs of damage and ensure that the roof is adequately insulated and ventilated. You may also minimize snow and ice accumulation on the roof by using heating cables or clearing snow and ice regularly.

Need help with cold winter weather roof issues?

If you’re struggling with cold weather roof problems and need an emergency roof repair or want professional help with ventilation or insulation issues before one arises, our Hamilton roofing contractors are here for you. 

Get a free cost estimate - call (905) 544-4667 today.