Winter can be quite the unpredictable season. One day it’s sunny and there’s no need for a coat and the next morning you’re grumpily digging your car out of a mound of fresh white snow. And as winter’s unpredictable wiles ensue, they can take a massive toll on your home’s roof and infrastructure. For example, melting snow can lead to winter roof leaks. In fact, winter roof leaks are extremely common and can lead to a slew of other residential roofing issues. But knowing the warning signs and causes of potentially leaking roofs can help you to better navigate residential roofing repair and preventative maintenance.
Here are some essential tips:

What causes winter roof leaks?
During the winter time, your roof experiences an onslaught of cold, damp weather. During this time, water will seep into any available crevice or weak spots on your roof. For many with old roofs, having your roof cave in from the weight of snow is also a serious risk. Because of this, it’s important to check the age of your roof, particularly if it’s asphalt. Asphalt roofs over 20 years old often need to be replaced. According to residential roofing repair experts, asphalt roofs should be inspected and repaired every 10 to 20 years.
If you live in a region that experiences heavy and frequent snowfall and have an asphalt roof, now might be the right time to consider replacing your asphalt with a more durable material, such as metal. Metal roofs are more durable than asphalt.

What are the warning signs of a damaged roof?
One of the most obvious signs of a leaking roof is pooling water on the ceilings of the highest rooms in the home. Additionally, ceilings or floors might be plagued with water stains.
If you’re looking for warning signs on the exterior of your home, simply take a walk around the perimeter. Look for cracked shingles or other kinds of debris that may be indicative that your roof is breaking or falling.
It is also important to check the ventilation in your attic. If it isn’t properly ventilated, you may have moisture building up below the surface of your roof. This can lead to dangerous mold and serious damage to your roof’s infrastructure.

Roof repair is never convenient, and roof repair costs are never cheap. Instead, be diligent. You could save yourself a great deal of time and trouble.