Why roof damage shows up in spring in WNY
In Buffalo, snow usually covers the ground from Christmas into early March, winters include frequent thaws and rain, and the Lake Erie ice pack often lasts until mid-April.[4] Each thaw and refreeze can build ice dams. Water backs up behind them and leaks through cracks in the roof covering into the attic, walls and ceilings.[1] Much of that damage stays hidden until the snow is gone.
Inside checklist: attic and ceilings
- Water stains on ceilings or upper walls, especially near exterior walls.[1]
- Damp, matted or stained attic insulation.[1]
- Mold or mildew, which can cause respiratory problems. Dry wet areas right away.[1]
- Daylight through roof boards, or frost or damp spots on the underside of the roof deck.
University of Minnesota Extension advises against repairing interior damage until ceilings and walls are dry and the heat-loss problem that caused the ice dam is fixed.[1]
Outside checklist (from the ground)
- Missing, cracked, curled or lifted shingles.
- Granules collecting in gutters or at downspout outlets.
- Sagging, bent or pulled-away gutters, a common sign of ice dams.[2]
- Damaged flashing around chimneys, vents and walls.
- A sagging ridge or roof plane. Call a professional promptly.
Use binoculars and stay off the roof. Winter and early-spring roof work is dangerous.[1]
Repair or replace?
A single leak or a few lost shingles on a roof with life left usually calls for a roof repair. Several warning signs together on an asphalt roof near the 20–30 year mark point toward replacement.[3] Our repair vs. replacement guide walks through the decision.
If a storm or ice dam caused the damage
Sudden damage from a covered cause, such as wind or the weight of ice and snow, may be covered by your homeowners policy. Wear and lack of maintenance are not.[5][6] Notify your insurer promptly and keep receipts for temporary repairs.[7] See insurance for roof wind and ice damage in NY.
Book a spring inspection
Areas south of Buffalo get much more lake-effect snow than the northern suburbs,[4] so homes in Boston, Eden, Orchard Park, Hamburg and Concord/Springville take some of the hardest hits. A spring inspection gives you time to plan a repair or replacement before the next lake-effect season.