Winter weather could create problems for a roof

A homeowner has enough to worry about. From making mortgage payments to mowing the lawn, the entire experience of maintaining a property could become stressful.

Constantly berated by the elements, a roof needs to be properly maintained and protected from winter weather, so it doesn't get added to a list of repair projects.

As winter approaches, a licensed home inspection professional could figure out where the weak points are for a property, and offer proactive advice for preparing for any upcoming storms. In addition to spotting any damage, homeowners should take this step so their houses are in the best possible shape as the seasons shift.

Take precautions regardless of location

It doesn't matter if a home is located in Minnesota, Florida or anywhere in between - winter weather can take on a variety of forms, and the smartest homeowners take steps to get ready even if feet of snow aren't in the forecast.

Any home that isn't properly prepared when severe weather does strike could get badly damaged, and for owners, it might feel like they are never as ready as they could be - especially living in a relatively warm climate, according to Angie's List.

Instead of missing weather - or repair - damage, every home should be looked over during a property inspection.

In some cases, contractors could do as much damage as the weather itself when repairing a damaged roof. Some companies may follow strong weather, in order to chase down homes that need fixing, Angie's List noted.

"The most damaging result of the recent hail storms in our area is the poor quality and faulty installation of roofs put on by the storm chasers that flooded into Charlotte on the heels of recent storms," Ashley Hollingsworth, a North Carolina roofing contractor, told the news source.

Common winter roof concerns

A home inspection could find a number of roof problems, and some are frequently caused by several common factors.

For instance, ice dams appear often during the winter. This could cause a roof to get damaged, and proper ventilation might be able to stop ice from forming around the lower edges of a sloped roof, according to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety.

Moreover, the structural integrity of a roof may become suspect after a heavy snowfall. If there is any concern, a homeowner may want to have a property inspection performed. Older homes are more susceptible, the IBHS noted, and clearing off snow should be performed from the ground, not on top of the roof.