What to Do When Your Roof Suffers Winter Storm Damage

Though it has been exceptionally mild autumn across much of North America, there can be no doubt that winter is finally on its way. And for those living on the coasts or in the Great Lakes Region, this means the possibility of blizzards, freezing rain, hail, and other violent weather events.

Every year, winter storms cause extensive damage to the roofs of private homes and commercial properties alike, and knowing what to do in the case of such damage is an essential aspect of property maintenance.

To that end, if you think your roof may have been compromised by severe weather, here are three things you should do as soon as the storm has passed.

1. Safely Assess the Damage

The first thing you need to do is figure out the extent of the damage. Cosmetic issues will need to be dealt with eventually but are not urgent. But if your shingles have been damaged, you’ll need to act more quickly.

Start by walking around your property and trying to assess the state of your roof from the ground. Missing or broken shingles should be visible immediately. You should also check to see if anything has blown off. You may not be able to see all the damage from the ground, however, and a thorough inspection of the roof itself should also be undertaken.

You should always exercise extreme caution when going up onto your roof, and this is especially true during the winter when ice can render shingles extremely slippery. If you aren’t comfortable going on the roof yourself, book a professional inspection.

2. Call a Roofing Company

If your gutters and downspouts have suffered minor damage, you may be able to handle the repairs on your own. But for more serious matters, you’ll need professional help. This includes

  • Missing shingles
  • Broken shingles
  • Hail damage
  • Damage from fallen tree branches

Winter is a quiet season for roofing companies, and if you live in a large urban area you should be able to book an Ajax roofing company for emergency roof repairs with a quick turn-around.

3. Cover Damaged Areas with a Tarp Until the Roofers Come

If the damage is extensive, it may take time before you can get your emergency roof repairs taken care of. In this case, try to cover the damaged sections of the roof with a tarp until the roofers arrive.

The easiest way to do this is by hanging the tarp over the roof ridge and anchoring it on both slopes using ropes tied to two-by-fours or bricks. If you have an accessible roof, you may be able to do this yourself. But if you have any doubts about the safety of handling this on your own, make sure to get someone from your Ajax roofing company to do it on your behalf.

As climate change disrupts patterns around the globe, violent storms are becoming more common, and the rapid freeze-and-thaw that follows spiking temperature change means roofs are under more stress than usual.

Being proactive about roofing repair is the best way to ensure that damage is dealt with before it becomes a major problem. If you’re worried your roof has been compromised, get in touch with a local roofing company today.

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Usman Sabir