Winter is the time of year when your roof is most likely to fail. Ideally, you’ve inspected your roof for damage before the winter weather hit. But if you didn’t, it still isn’t too late. There’s plenty of severe weather to come that can do costly damage to your roof and home if your roof isn’t in good shape so it’s a good idea to assess your roof now. Here are some things to watch for.

Watch out for ice dams

Ice dams are one of your biggest concerns in the winter time. If ice is forming along the sides of your roof and in your rain gutters, that’s a sign that your attic isn’t sufficiently insulated and/or ventilated and warm air from your home is filling the attic space, warming the snow and causing it to melt and run down to the edges of the roof where it refreezes. If you’re seeing ice accumulating on your roof, then it’s time to redo the insulation and ventilation in your attic.

Other red flags

One of the best things you can do when it comes to your roof is simply stay alert. Don’t make the mistake of never looking up. Keep an eye out for shingles that appear loose, cracked or curled. Any part of your roof where there are damaged shingles is vulnerable to moisture getting in. No matter how minimal the shingle damage, have it repaired as soon as possible.

Look for signs of water damage in your home. Since the attic is the first place where a roof leak will typically reveal itself, it’s a good place to start. Look for damp or peeling patches on the attic ceiling. Discoloration of the wood could also be a sign of water damage. If you see any sunlight shining through your roof or water dripping in your attic, you know you’ve got a serious roofing problem that needs to be taken care of.

When to repair and when to replace

No matter how high a quality your roof is and no matter how well you’ve taken care of it, your roof will fail eventually. After a certain point, it becomes more cost effective to simply replace it rather than try to continue repairing it. Here are some ways you can know it’s time to replace your roof. At least 30% of your roof has been damaged at some point. The supporting structure is rotted or unsound. A major storm has caused severe damage to your roof.

Your shingles are experiencing widespread granule loss. Granules are what provides your shingles with protection from UV rays. If you’re seeing a large number of ceramic granules in your rain gutters or downspouts, it’s about time for a new roof.

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Source: telegram .com/article/20160106/NEWS/160109572