How Alberta’s Weather Can Affect the Lifespan of Your Roof
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By PAGE Editor
One of the most crucial aspects of your home is your roof. It shields your family, insulation and possessions on a daily basis against the elements. In Alberta, however, the weather is some of the most challenging to roofs. Huge snowfalls and hailstorms, blazing UV radiation, and abrupt changes in temperature are just some of the ways in which each season can strain roofing materials.
Learning the influence of the climate of Alberta on your roof can assist you to cut down on expensive repairs and prolong the roof life. It can help a great deal to perform regular inspections and carry out the maintenance in time.
Freeze-Thaw Cycles Cause Roofing Damage
A frequent freeze-thaw cycle is one of the largest challenges of Alberta. During the day, temperatures are frequently above freezing, and at night below freezing.
This unceasing swelling and shrinking is able to:
- Crack shingles
- Loosen flashing
- Damage roof sealants
- Make little holes, which increase.
The water that gets into small cracks is frozen and expands with each cycle, thus, the damage is only aggravated.
Heavy Snow Adds Extra Weight
Alberta winters are characterized by large amounts of snow which can take weeks to melt away.
Excess snow can:
- Append much structural mass.
- Block proper drainage
- Increase the risk of ice dams.
- Cause moisture to seep beneath shingles
Professional snow removal can help alleviate unwarranted stress on your roof and avoid accidental harm to it.
Hailstorms Can Shorten Roof Life
Alberta has a history of extreme hailstorms particularly in spring and summer.
Hail can:
- Dent metal roofing
- Crack asphalt shingles
- Remove protective granules
- Breaking windows and vents.
- Make secret weak points.
Hail damage is very likely to shorten the life of your roofing system and ultimately cause a leak, although it may seem insignificant.
In case your roof has suffered a storm damage, Cooper Roofing Red Deer would be a good choice of collaborator as they would determine the problems before they become costly to fix. The damage is normally detected by professional inspections, which are hard to see on the ground.
Strong Winds Can Lift Roofing Materials
Another weather phenomenon that is prevalent in Alberta is powerful windstorms.
High winds may:
- Shingles or tears.
- Break roof edges
- Damage flashing
- Allow rain to penetrate roofing materials.
Once the shingles have loosened, even the moderate rainfall can cause water to damage the home.
A major wind event can be detected by inspecting your roof to identify minor issues.
Summer heat and UV exposure
Alberta summers can be rough on roofs too, and many homeowners believe that winter is the worst threat.
The sun and ultraviolet rays slowly fade away:
- Wet out asphalt shingles.
- Cause cracking
- Fade roofing materials
- Reduce flexibility
In the long run, UV rays cause normal aging, which exposes roofs to damages during subsequent storms.
Ice Dams Cause Unnoticed Moisture Issues
Ice dams occur when the snow melts on the warmer side of a roof and refreezes along the colder sides.
This will avoid the effective drainage and will push the water under the shingles.
Ice dams can cause:
- Roof leaks
- Mold growth
- Damaged insulation
- Ceiling stains
- Wood rot
Correctly ventilated and insulated attics will minimize the chances of ice dams.
Exposure to Rain and Moisture
Despite the comparatively dry climate of Alberta as compared to other provinces, there are still periods of rainstorms that last the entire year.
Persistent moisture can:
- Rot wooden roof decking
- Damage underlayment
- Promote mold growth
- Weaken roofing components
By maintaining gutters, water will not be deposited around the roofs where it can easily enter into places that are weak.
Roof Inspections are Seasonal
Damage that is caused by weather is usually hard to detect until it manifests into big issues.
A professional inspection may point out:
- Missing shingles
- Loose flashing
- Small leaks
- Hail impact
- Ventilation issues
- Drainage problems
A lot of roofing professionals suggest that inspections should be held after drastic storms and at least once a year.
Routine maintenance by trained contractors such as Cooper Roofing Red Deer may assist homeowners to solve petty problems before they become a major repair or complete replacement of the entire roof.
Tips to Extend Your Roof's Lifespan
Basic maintenance would help a long way in safeguarding your investment.
Best practices include:
- Have your roof checked annually.
- Clean gutters regularly.
- Take off the excess snow in a safe manner.
- Mend broken shingles as soon as possible.
- Prune hanging tree branches.
- Post-major storm schedule checks.
- Keep the attic well ventilated.
Such preventive measures will help extend your roofing system considerably.
Conclusion
The climate in Alberta is very special and poses a challenge to all roofs throughout the year. The snow, hail, cold weather, heavy winds, precipitation, and blazing sunlight all cause gradual wear and tear. It is these environmental factors that enable the home owners to engage in proactive measures before the occurrence of minor damages into an expensive repair. Routine inspections and maintenance are a way to invest in safety and ensure your home, higher energy efficiency, and the longevity of your roof in the future.
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