Your roof is your home’s most important line of defense against the elements. It functions as your home’s umbrella, protecting the top of your residence from inclement weather, among other benefits it provides. Considering it is exposed to so much weather, it is no surprise that it wears down over time. However, most homeowners are unaware of how different weather conditions can damage their roof and impact its quality. If you’re interested in learning more about how weather can impact your home’s roof, keep reading below for more information!

Wind

One of the most common causes of roof damage is extreme wind. High winds often cause your shingles to loosen from your roof, if not blow off completely. In fact, most asphalt shingles have sections for the edges of your roof called starter shingles which are fitted with extra adhesives in order to protect your shingles from blowing off of your roof. If you only had a shingle or two blow off of your roof you can easily repair the damaged section, but it depends how severe the damage was.

Rain

There’s another kind of weather that, in combination with wind, causes the majority of roofing damage, and that is rain. Rain can cause so much damage because one small leak that is left unattended over months can end up rotting a significant portion of your roof deck and seriously damaging the structural integrity of your home’s roof. If you live in a rainy climate, you should have your roof inspected regularly to ensure that the roof’s integrity is still intact.

Snow

Homeowners in the North-East are well aware of how damaging snow can be to their roofs. Snow can cause the same issues as rain, melting on your roof and causing water damage to your roof deck. However, it can also cause ice dams which can be just as destructive to your home’s roof. Ice dams are formed when the snow on your roof melts and runs down your shingles, reaching the eaves of your roof. When it reaches the eaves, it refreeze, and it causes the snow melting off your roof to pool up behind the ice. It is held in liquid form on the roof, which quickly causes it to sink into your roof deck, causing significant damage. If you see ice dams forming on your roof, you will want to have them removed as soon as possible.

Contact Us Today

If you’re interested in replacing your home’s roof this spring, our team at Rhode Island Slate Roofing is ready to assist! Reach out to our team by calling us at (401) 255-2003 or by filling out our team’s online contact form!