[rank_math_breadcrumb]
With winter in full swing here in northern Indiana, many homeowners are noticing roof damage resulting from harsh conditions. With high wind speeds, freezing temperatures, and heavy snowfall, northern Indiana roofs often suffer multiple kinds of damage throughout the winter months.
Homeowners often don’t notice the effects of winter roof damage until spring when leaks and breakdown in materials become more apparent. In this article, we’ll talk about types of damage, why they occur, and what northern Indiana homeowners can do to be proactive in protecting their homes.
Common Types of Winter Roof Damage in Northern Indiana
Ice Dams
Many roofs in northern Indiana experience ice dams due to two main reasons – the constant rises and falls in temperature and improper roof and venting installation.
Ice dams occur when heat escapes from your home due to improper ventilation or insulation and melts the snow on part of the roof. The water from this melted snow then runs down the slope of the roof toward the gutters. When the temperature drops overnight or over the course of a day, this meltwater then refreezes at the edge of the roof. If enough ice is accumulated at the edge of a roof, it causes a backup under the shingles and can lead to leaks when it melts again.
Ice dams can cause significant damage to a roofing system and extensive leaks if the roofing system isn’t properly installed to account for them. There are a couple things that homeowners should watch out for when it comes to ice dams:
- Watch for a buildup of ice at the edges of the roof. If it is visible, immediate action is recommended to prevent leaks.
- Look for areas on the roof that are melted when the rest of the roof is still covered with snow. This can help identify the area of heat loss.
Snow Load and Weight Stress
When heavy snowfall occurs, northern Indiana roofs are really put to the test. The sheer weight of snow and ice can sometimes cause decking and rafters to fail, leading to extensive issues and costly repairs.
The main concern with snow load is not necessarily the top layer of the roofing system, but usually the subroof (decking and rafters). Although this type of damage is less common than others, it is often the most costly when it does occur. Homeowners can take some steps to prevent damage caused by snow load:
- Look at the roof from the ground for signs of weight stress-related damage like sagging areas on the roof. This is often a good sign that the weight of the snow load is putting stress on the roofing system.
- Have a professional walk the roof to check for soft spots. If there are issues with your decking, a professional will be able to identify potential problem areas and advise on next steps.
Freeze-Thaw Shingle Damage
If you live in northern Indiana, you know it’s not uncommon for temperatures to fall from 50 degrees to freezing within a day. Due to this, shingles are often put under immense stress that leads to cracking, splitting, and granule loss, making the roof less secure and long-lasting.
Once shingles are significantly damaged by these cycles, water can ultimately find a way through, leading to leaks down the road. Since the weather conditions are out of a homeowner’s control, the main things they can do to prevent this type of damage are:
- Have the roof inspected regularly to identify signs of damage early.
- Replace the roof within an appropriate time frame to ensure that new, quality materials will help defend the home against damage.
Wind-Driven Winter Storm Damage
Northern Indiana winters often bring wind storms that test the durability of a roofing system. High wind can lead to lifted and missing shingles that compromise the security of the roof. Shingle damage from wind can cause leaks over time and reduce the longevity of the roof as a whole.
This type of damage can be difficult to identify from the ground. Blown off shingles are easy to see, but a lifted shingle often won’t appear damaged unless viewed while standing on the roof. Homeowners who want to prevent further damage following a wind storm should:
- Inspect the roof from the ground to locate any missing shingles.
- Have the roof inspected by a professional who can walk the roof carefully and identify damaged shingles that aren’t visible from the ground.
Why Winter Roof Damage is Often Hard to Spot
Although it is commonplace in northern Indiana, winter storm damage can be very difficult to identify for multiple reasons.
1. Snow Cover
Whether it’s ice dam, freeze-thaw cycle, or wind damage on a roof, snow often covers the damage, making it difficult for a homeowner to see it.
2. Delayed Leaks
When winter roof damage occurs, it can take time before the actual effects of the damage are experienced. Once a roof system is compromised, it can be a matter of days, weeks, or even months before active leaks start. However, further damage resulting from winter storm damage is usually inevitable.
3. Attic Moisture
Sometimes, when a roof is leaking due to winter storm effects, the problem temporarily stops at the attic and doesn’t yet make it into the living area of the home. If damage isn’t identified and fixed early, it can lead to failing attic insulation and, eventually, drywall damage in the home.
Regardless of the type of damage done to a roof, the effects only get worse with time. Leaking areas grow, soft spots become more susceptible, and shingles continue to deteriorate. That’s why it is important to catch damage early. While many homeowners wait until spring to have their roofs inspected, a winter time inspection can help homeowners avoid costly storm damage roofing repairs down the road.
Preventing the Effects of Winter Storm Damage Before they Occur
It is vital to replace a roof before damage affects the rest of the home. Replacing an aging roof can be a large investment, but it saves many homeowners thousands of dollars by preventing larger issues that would arise if the roof were not replaced.
Getting Your Roof Inspected
If damage is visible or suspected, having your roof inspected by a professional is a necessary next step. A professional inspector will be able to identify existing damage, as well as potential problem areas. Here at Professional Roofing Solutions & Construction LLC, we offer these inspections free of charge and with no obligation to the homeowner.
Properly Insulating and Venting the Roof
Whether winter storm damage will be covered depends on the terms of your policy, your insurance carrier, and the events that led to the damage. Many insurance policies do include provisions for wind damage roof repair, repairs required as a result of ice dams, and other winter-related damage.
Some circumstances where insurance may not cover the damage include:
- Damage that can’t be proven to be the result of a storm
- Neglect and poor maintenance
- A roof that is past its expected lifespan
When considering an insurance claim, we recommend having the roof inspected by a professional who can identify damage, tie it to a specific storm date, and provide a case to your insurance carrier for why and how the roof should be repaired.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Northern Indiana Storm Damage?
Whether winter storm damage will be covered depends on the terms of your policy, your insurance carrier, and the events that led to the damage. Many insurance policies do include provisions for wind damage roof repair, repairs required as a result of ice dams, and other winter-related damage.
Some circumstances where insurance may not cover the damage include:
- Damage that can’t be proven to be the result of a storm
- Neglect and poor maintenance
- A roof that is past its expected lifespan
When considering an insurance claim, we recommend having the roof inspected by a professional who can identify damage, tie it to a specific storm date, and provide a case to your insurance carrier for why and how the roof should be repaired.
Why Northern Indiana Homeowners Choose PRSC to Help With Their Winter Storm Damage
At Professional Roofing Solutions & Construction LLC, we document all damage during our initial inspection and provide our findings to you and your insurance carrier. From there, we have a dedicated team of Claims Specialists who will help you navigate the claim process and get the full amount of coverage that you are owed.
Once a claim is approved, we install roofs according to state code requirements and manufacturer installation guidelines to ensure that the roof is durable, safe, and covered by manufacturer warranty long-term.
If you suspect your home has sustained damage as a result of storms this winter, we are here to help. Contact us here or give us a call at (574) 551-7663 to ensure the security of your roof!
