With the unpredictable North Texas weather, we’ve seen 70 degrees fall to 30 degrees in one day. Add some rain, sleet, and snow in the mix and you’ve experienced winter weather in Texas. As you prepare for the crazy winter weather in Texas, make sure to inspect your roof. Severe winter weather can do serious damage to your roof system, especially if you aren’t doing routine maintenance and inspections. Little problems turn escalate into big, expensive issues.
To help you prepare, read through these common winter effects on North Texas roofs.

Many Texas homeowners know the effects of ice and hail storms all too well. With hail sizes ranging from quarter size to softball size, there’s no predicting what will happen during a storm. While it’s difficult to prepare for a hailstorm, knowing the effects might encourage you to keep an eye out for any small issues.

When hail is strong or large enough, it can puncture your roof system, causing leaks harming the structure of the home. Hail damage isn’t obvious to see, though. An inspection after any storm will help you identify hail damage to metal vents. Look at the shingles for cracking, missing granules, and bruising. If you notice any circular cracks, also known as dimples, that is caused by hail.

Because Texas rarely sees snow, it’s common for homeowners to not know how to properly inspect and manage the roof system after accumulated snow. Heavy snow puts pressure on the roof, which leads to cracks and leaks. While this is more commonly prevalent in older roofs, new roofs aren’t exempt.

Ice, what most North Texans consider a sign of winter, is what most often occurs during the winter months. Did you know that when ice freezes around the edges of the roof, an ice dam results. This blocks water and melting snow from draining off the roof. With all that water sitting on the roof, it can put pressure on the roof system and starts to leak into the home.

Finally, winter weather can damage flashing. Flashing is the sheet metal applied over the roof’s joints. This protects the joints and directs water flow down the roof so it’s not sitting stagnant on the roof. Flashing can be seen around the chimney, vent, skylight, and dormer windows. While the metal used is incredibly durable, harsh winter weather can create an issue. Over time, flashing can pull away from the roof and, if not addressed before winter weather, can cause water damage from accumulated rain, snow, and sleet.

Protect your North Texas home with durable roofing materials installed by a professional. Once installed, your job isn’t done. Routine maintenance and inspections ensure that your roof is ready for the changing weather. From fall to winter to spring to summer, there’s always a threat from Mother Nature. Stay ahead of the game and keep small issues from turning into a large, expensive hassle.