The word “winter” is like a coin with two sides. On the one side, it conjures up warm and fuzzy images of snowflakes, snowman, and hot chocolate. Who doesn’t want that? On the other side, it evokes unpleasant memories of bitter winter storms, blizzards, and slippery and icy roads. For homeowners, the relationship with winter is one mixed with both love and hate. We love how winter gives us the opportunity to adorn our home with Christmas lights and candles. However, we also hate winter for its chilly temperature and for causing ruthless damages to our home. Of the structures around the house, the roof is definitely the one that takes the most hit. Here are some winter roof problems you’ve probably experienced before:

1) Ice Dams

While icicles hanging from a cliff or a frozen waterfall may look beautiful in pictures, having excessive amounts of ice building up along your roof can be a true pain. According to the Housing Technology Department in the University of Minnesota, “An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof.” This happens when melting snow “re-freezes” again because of uneven roof temperature. When left untreated, ice dam can cause water to back up behind it and ultimately leaks into the home.

To avoid this, it is critical for homeowners to perform a pre-winter inspection of their roof to ensure that there’s no damage or cracking. Additionally, insulating your ceiling and investing in a quality roof ventilation system will help you to maintain a consistent roof temperature and lower the possibility of ice damming.

2) Condensation

Condensation is another big roof headache. As Buildings.com explains, your roof is vulnerable to condensation “anytime warm, moist interior air rising up through a building comes into contact with a cold roof assembly.” When that happens, you may start to notice water droplets on the ceiling and even walls of the attic. If not treated promptly, condensation can cause further leakage, while promoting mold growth.

The best way to treat condensation, according to Fine Home Building, is to improve the airflow of your home. This includes installing a ventilation system or vapor retarder in your home, and removing water and ice buildup from the roof.

3) Other Winter Annoyance & How to Rid Them All

Ice dam and condensation are just the start. As the winter progresses, you may experience leaky flashings, clogged gutters, and even a severely damaged roof. But the fact that your roof is causing you so much pain (and money) is no reason to blame Mr. Winter at all.

The truth is most roofs on the market are incapable of handling winter, period. Roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, are simply too fragile. They are easy to crack, chip, and become detached under mere temperature fluctuation.

Not so with a metal roof that has been designed to be impervious against strong wind, inclement weather, and thermal expansion. As Metal Roofing Alliance shares, metal roof is perfect for snowy climate. It is designed “to shed snow and ice, you also won’t have to worry about icicles or ice buildup tearing down your gutter.”

Metal roof can help your home in winter because it is robust, energy efficient, and virtually maintenance free. Challenge Mr. Winter with a durable metal roof and say goodbye to all your winter roof woes.