Your roof is the first thing that protects your home from the weather, but it’s also one of the parts that is most likely to fail when the seasons change. All year long, whether it’s hot outside or snowy outside, your roof takes a beating. Each season brings its own problems, like high heat that can weaken shingles or heavy rain and ice that can cause leaks.
At Evenhouse Roofing in Davenport, IA, we offer comprehensive roofing services designed to help homeowners keep strong, reliable roofs throughout the year. In this blog, we’ll explore how different weather patterns impact your roof and what you can do to protect your home through every season.
Impact of Heat and the Sun on Roof Longevity
Prolonged exposure to intense heat and sunlight can significantly shorten the life of a roof, particularly in areas with extreme summer temperatures. Asphalt shingles, for example, can warp and curl when exposed to constant UV radiation, weakening their protective coating and resulting in cracks. As a result, shingles become brittle, more accessible to break, and less effective at protecting your home from moisture.
Flat roofs with dark membranes can absorb excess heat, causing materials to expand. Over time, this can lead to bubbles or blisters, weakening the adhesive layers below. The constant cycle of daytime expansion and nighttime contraction stresses the materials, causing premature failure.
Roof ventilation is essential for reducing heat damage. Without adequate airflow, trapped heat in the attic can cause the roof deck to overheat, hastening the aging process of the entire roofing system. This not only reduces shingle lifespan but also raises energy costs as your home struggles to stay cool.
How Rain and Humidity Can Damage Your Roof
Over time, rain and humidity can slowly weaken your roof, which can lead to expensive repairs if you don’t fix the problem. Roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, become more likely to crack and curl when they are constantly exposed to water. Over time, water can seep through these weak spots and damage your home through leaks and water damage.
When humidity levels are high, especially in places that don’t have a lot of airflow, water can get trapped in the roof deck and attic. Mold, mildew, and even wood rot can grow on wooden roofs because of this trapped moisture. For example, wooden rafters or decking can weaken and rot if they are constantly exposed to damp conditions, which can make the roof less stable.
Another thing that can make rain damage worse is gutters that are blocked. If water can’t get off the roof properly, it can pool in some places and cause leaks, damage to the fascia, or the shingles to wear down. In the worst cases, water pooling can even make older roofs sag or fall down.
Winter’s Tool: Snow, Ice, and Freezing Temperatures
When snow, ice, and freezing temperatures come together in the winter, roofs face special problems. If your roof isn’t properly pitched or built to handle heavy snow loads, snow buildup can put too much weight on it. In the worst cases, this can lead to sagging, stress on the support structure, or even the building falling down. Also, ice dams can form along the edges of the roof, especially near the gutters, when snow melts and then freezes again. Because these ice dams stop water from draining properly, it builds up under the shingles and could leak into the house.
When it freezes, roofing materials also shrink, which makes shingles more fragile and more likely to crack. The repeated freeze-thaw cycle can make weaknesses worse, which can cause cracks in the roof flashing and shingles. For example, in cold weather, metal flashing around chimneys or skylights may move or come loose, leaving holes that water can get through. Over time, even small holes in the roof can let water in and cause serious damage to the structure below, which will cost a lot to fix.
How To Prepare Your Roof for Seasonal Transitions
To avoid damage from the weather, it’s important to get your roof ready for the changing seasons. First, look over the roof carefully for any missing or broken shingles, flashing that isn’t attached properly, or areas that are sagging. Taking care of these problems before bad weather hits can keep the damage from getting worse. For example, replacing old, worn-out shingles before winter makes sure that they don’t break when snow or freezing temperatures hit them.
Before it starts to rain, clean out your gutters so that water can flow freely. If your gutters are clogged, water can back up onto the roof and cause leaks or ice dams in the winter. Cut back branches that hang over the roof so that they don’t damage the surface when they fall during windstorms or snow. Also, make sure the attic has enough air flow. Enough airflow helps keep the temperature stable and lowers the chance of moisture buildup, which can cause mold or rot in the roof deck.
If you hire a professional roofer to do seasonal checks, you can be sure that nothing is missed. They can see small problems that an untrained eye might miss like flashing that is falling apart or the first signs of shingle wear.
Contact Us Today
As the seasons change, your roof is constantly up against the elements, from scorching summer heat to frigid winter winds. Understanding how these changes affect the integrity of your roof allows you to take preventative measures to protect your home. Regular maintenance and timely repairs keep your roof strong, preventing costly damage and extending its lifespan for years to come.
Ready to prepare your roof for the changing seasons? Contact Evenhouse Roofing today and let us help. We also offer roof repair, roof replacement, storm damage, gutter, shingle, and siding replacement services.