What to Do If Your Roof Starts Leaking During Winter

Nothing ruins a cozy winter day quite like the sudden realization that you hear the drip, drip, drip of a leaky roof. A leak during a Chicagoland winter can feel like a disaster, but taking swift action can protect your home from serious damage. Berg Home Improvements has served Illinois for over 50 years, so we’ve seen plenty when it comes to winter roof problems.

If you discover a leak this winter, here’s what you should do:

• Contain the water to minimize interior damage.
• Identify the source of the leak if it’s safe to do so.
• Document the damage for your insurance claim.
• Call a professional roofer for a safe and effective solution.

Taking these steps can help mitigate the impacts of an unexpected leak.

What Causes a Winter Roof Leak?

Winter weather puts a unique strain on your roof. The most common causes of leaks are often ice dams, damaged shingles, and attic condensation.

• Ice Dams: When melted snow refreezes at your roof’s edge and forms a ridge of ice, it blocks proper drainage, causing water to back up under your shingles and seep into your home.
• Damaged Shingles: High winds, hail or falling branches can crack, loosen or remove shingles. Once snow melts, the water can easily find its way into these vulnerable spots, leading to a leak.
• Attic Condensation: When warm, moist air from inside your home rises into a cold attic, it creates condensation on the underside of your roof. Excess moisture can drip down, mimicking a leak. It can also lead to mold, mildew and rot over time.

In many cases, tracing a leak back to one of these sources enables a solution to be implemented faster.

How to Address a Winter Roof Leak

Discovering a leak can be stressful, but your immediate response is crucial. First, place a towel and a bucket or similar container under the drip to catch the water and protect your floors and furniture. Then document everything by taking photos and videos of the leak and any water-damaged areas. This evidence will be essential when you file a homeowner’s insurance claim.

While it might be tempting to climb onto the roof and look for the source of the leak, it’s extremely dangerous in winter conditions. Ice and snow create a slippery, hazardous surface. It’s always best to leave the inspection and repair to a licensed and insured professional.

Time to Call a Professional

Once you’ve contained the immediate issue, it’s time to call an expert. A professional roofer has the right safety equipment and experience to assess the damage safely. At Berg Home Improvements, our team can identify the leak’s source and determine the best course of action.

Depending on the cause and severity, we may perform a temporary repair to get you through the winter and schedule a permanent fix for the spring. For problems like ice dams, we can typically safely remove them to prevent further damage.

Leaky Roof? Trust Berg for the Solution

For decades, Berg Home Improvements has been a roofing company homeowners in Chicagoland trust for high-quality work and great customer service. We understand the urgency of a winter leak and our team is here to help.

If you’re dealing with a leaky roof, don’t wait for the problem to get worse. Contact Berg Home Improvements today for a free estimate and greater peace of mind.