Spring is right around the corner. As we say goodbye to cozy nights cuddling by the fire and drinking hot chocolate, we welcome the warmth and renewal of life that spring brings with it. Of course, this gives way to a busy season of spring cleaning. Now is the time to go outside and check for any damages that winter may have done to your home, especially your roof.

As we all know, winters in Missouri can be quite unpredictable: “You really never know if you’ll have a warm sunny day or a snowstorm. More likely than not, you’ll get both in the same week!”

We have experienced then, during this winter season: freezing rain, floods, windy days, tons of snow, and an amount of water produced from snow melting that can cause water damage and leak into your home through any cracks. So if you didn’t prepare before, winter can be a brutal time for your home!

Here are the following steps you should take to make sure your roof is ready for spring:

1. Check the roof for damages

A lot can happen to a roof during winter. It is important to assess the damage as early as you can to avoid any costly repairs in the future. The most common damages being:

Snow Damage

Winter is a beautiful season that brings with it childhood nostalgia of snow angels and snowball fights. However, your roof may beg to differ. Snow can add burden to the roof as it piles up. Too much weight beyond the roof’s snow load rating can cause a portion of the roof to collapse.

A warm attic with improper ventilation also adds to the distress as it causes the ice to melt at the middle of the roof. Ice dams occur when there is a buildup of ice at the edge of the roof. As the ice melts and refreezes, the water expands and damages the shingles, opening cracks in the roof. It also damages the gutter as excessive ice buildup causes it to crack or pull away from the edge of the roof.

Water Damage

As winter gives way to spring, the ice that accumulated on your roof melts and leaks through thin cracks in the roof. This allows moisture to seep into the foundation. If left untreated, the repetitive cycle of melting and refreezing water can add cracks to the foundation of the house. Water damage causes rotting and threatens the structural integrity of your home. The excessive moisture also triggers the growth of mold and mildew, which can lead to serious health issues.

To see if your roof has been sustaining water damage, be on the lookout for any water spots or stains along the ceiling or walls of your house. Discolored roofs are also another indication of water damage. This should be done diligently every spring in order to catch any damages before it gets worse.

Wind Damage

Wind damage is the most common enemy of your roof as it affects your roof all year round. You can tell if your roof has sustained wind damage by checking to see if:

Loose or missing shingles

Curling on the edge of shingles

Splitting, tears, or cracks on the shingles

Bent gutter

Missing granules