Winter in the UK can be forgiving, especially to poorly built, installed, and maintained roofs. As your roofing system is at the forefront of protecting you, your loved ones, and your belongings from various winter elements — it’s only right to hire the best roofers in Witney to take care of it.

Once the snow season comes, here are the five most common roofing issues that you have to know and deal with.

Condensation. Like what you’ve learned in elementary school, condensation occurs when warm air meets a cold surface. In a roofing system, an inadequately ventilated attic that traps warm interior air during winter can lead to this very process. If not addressed, it can cause mould growth and can weaken your roof and the immediate surroundings’ structural integrity. Make sure to keep your attic ventilated and if there’s a presence of mould, call for professional removal services.

Cracks. If you have a pitched roof, roofers Witney state that it can be more prone to roof membrane shrinkage (keep in mind that cold temperature can cause them to contract). This shrinkage can lead to cracking. Once roofing layers underneath get exposed, they can be easily damaged by winter elements. The best way to avoid shrinkage is to make sure that your roof is properly and professionally installed.

Ice dams and icicles. When an icy roof starts to thaw and melts down to a lower area where the temperature is still low, the snow can freeze again. The result is the creation of an ice dam. Over time, water can pool behind the dam and leak through any cracks in your roofing system. Icicles, on the other hand, are typically attributed to clogged downspouts and gutters. To keep your roof and your home protected, make it winter-ready by cleaning your roofing system and sealing any cracks or gaps. Once winter comes, you can use a snow rake to remove snow and ice from your roof edges to prevent their buildup.

Flashing leaks. Especially during winter, your roof flashing — or the piece of aluminium that laces your roof edges — plays the vital role of keeping moisture out of the gaps between your roofing system’s materials and its other exposed surfaces. But as it’s prone to ice formation, it can also be vulnerable to leakage once the ice melts. As in many other winter roofing concerns, prevention is better than cure. Make it a habit to inspect your flashing before winter and make any necessary repairs.

Strong winter winds. Strong winds are your roof’s enemy. And the battle especially escalates during wintertime. If your roof is old or poorly maintained, strong cold winds can rip your shingles off. If your roof has missing or loose shingles, it’s only a matter of time before the freeze-thaw process can cause leakage. Blowing winds can also cause dangling tree limbs to scratch your roof’s surface. Have your shingles replaced immediately and cut down tree branches to prevent them from damaging your roof.

Protect Your Roof With The Best Roofers in Witney

At Country Roofing, their customers are their highest priority. If you need their help to address a winter roofing issue including those listed above, they have the best technicians to deploy.

For the last 20 years, they’ve kept Witney and the surrounding areas safe by offering prompt yet affordable roofing services. Looking for professional roofers Witney? Call them on 01993 700 725 or 07789 556495 or email them at [email protected].