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How to Handle Winter Roofing Emergencies

Handling roofing emergencies can be more difficult during the winter season, which is why you should prepare yourself by knowing how to handle such situations. In this blog, home improvement contractor State Roofing shares a look at how to handle winter roofing emergencies.

How To Handle Winter Roofing Emergencies

Common Winter Roofing Emergencies

The following are common roofing emergencies that can happen during the winter season:

  1. Shingle Damage — High winds can cause shingles to get blown off the roof, which can expose the underlying layers to moisture infiltration. High winds can also tear off the flashing and parts of the gutter system.
  2. Condensation in the Attic — Condensation forms on surfaces with lower temperatures as the rest of the room. Since warm and moist air have a tendency to rise and collect in the attic area, it can form condensation on attic windows, or under the roof deck, lacking insufficient insulation.
  3. Ice Dams and Icicles — Another consequence of insufficient insulation is that the heat in the attic can raise the roof temperature, just enough to melt the snow on top. This would refreeze at the roof’s edge, turning into ice dams and icicles. In addition to the risk of water infiltration at the roof’s edge, icicles can also be an injury risk to anyone who happens to be passing underneath.
  4. Punctures — High winds can cause roofing punctures, either through windborne debris or sharp tree branches that happen to be touching the roofing surface.

Preparedness Is the Key

Most of these problems can be avoided by working with a knowledgeable roofing contractor. Keeping up with scheduled maintenance, as well as conducting pre-winter inspections, can go a long way in preventing emergencies. Addressing insulation issues and keeping the surroundings clean—including having an arborist trim the trees—can help prevent other aforementioned problems.

Handling Roofing Emergencies

When a roofing emergency arises, make sure you do the following:

  1. Get Your Family to Safety — If the roof damage exposes your family to outdoor conditions, move them out of harm’s way. Have them stay at a more secure room; if you have a finished basement, so much the better.
  2. Call Your Roofing Contractor — Even if the roof doesn’t require emergency tarping, you will need a roofing contractor to inspect and document the damage as soon as the weather clears. You will need this for your roofing insurance claim.
  3. Restrict the Power Supply — You might need to cut the power at certain parts of your home to avoid electrical accidents.

State Roofing is your leading provider of decks and roofing services. Give us a call at [company_phone] or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Seattle, WA, and nearby areas.

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