Is Harsh Winter Weather Damaging Your Home? Local Contractor Explores Potential Impact

Far more than just an annoyance or inconvenience, winter weather can cause significant damage to your home. Chicago-area winters often feature driving winds and heavy precipitation that can last for days at a time. Even after the weather calms, snow and ice buildup can continue to cause damage well into spring, so it's important to know how Mother Nature may be affecting your home to prevent any long-term harm.

Snow Storms

The first thing that comes to mind when considering winter weather is snow. Snow storms can put a great deal of stress on a home, including:

·         Structural damage to low slope roofs or slate roofs - Heavy, icy snow can quickly build-up and put an incredible amount of pressure on your roof. Roofs with insufficient slope to help the snow slide off, or slate roofs which can become cracked due to the excess weight are particularly vulnerable.

·         Buildup of snow against house, dormers and other structures - Siding, flashing and masonry can all potentially be damaged by long-term exposure to snow buildup.

·         Ice damage to roofs and gutters - As snow melts it can create dangerous ice dams which can cause water to build up and potentially penetrate your roof, leaking into your home. Icy gutters can become blocked and create further water removal issues, or even be damaged by heavy ice buildup.

Hail Storms

Hail is a much more overtly dangerous winter hazard. Hail of all sizes can create problems around your home, including:

·         Can damage any soft metal structures - Roof flashing, metal vents, and tin structures are all vulnerable to hail, especially when combined with strong winds.

·         Asphalt shingles, cedar, slate and metal roofing - Roofing materials are obviously the most vulnerable to hail damage, but many people don't realize the affects that hail can have on asphalt shingles. As the ice crystals impact your roof, they may dislodge asphalt granules from shingles, expediting roof wear and causing premature failures. It's important to have regular roof inspections if your home is subject to frequent hail storms.

·         Can expedite ice damn creation - Ice dams are one of the most potentially damaging results of winter weather and hail can quickly cause a damn to form, preventing your roof from draining properly and causing water to pool.

Rain & Wind

On the rare winter day when temperatures creep above freezing, cold rain and wind can cause just as much damage as its frozen counterparts.

·         Tree branches or limbs can cause roof or window damage - Trees take quite a beating in the winter and heavy winds can often cause already damaged limbs to break, potentially causing serious damage to windows and roofs.

·         Leaky windows may cause driving rain to enter a home - There's no good time for leaky windows or skylights, but waiting until after winter to replace faulty windows can cause serious damage. As structures continually expand and contract due to freezing and thawing, even small gaps can become a major problem. Old windows and doors should be replaced at the first sign of weakness against the elements.

Contact Opal Enterprises Inc. to find out more about replacing damaged windows, siding or roofing from harsh winter weather.