Winter in Edina, MN doesn’t just bring snow and cold. It can also reveal problems with your roof that weren’t obvious before. As snow piles up and ice begins to melt, it has a way of working itself into cracks you didn’t know were there.
If you notice a leak in the middle of winter, it might not be just about the snow on your roof. It could be warning you about storm damage from earlier in the year. Storm damage roofing problems can often hide until extreme weather forces them to show up. Acting early when you see leaks can help stop bigger issues, both inside and outside your home. We are a family-owned roofing and storm damage restoration company based in Edina, MN, and we have been helping homeowners handle these kinds of winter roof problems since 1992.
What Causes Roof Leaks in the Winter
When it comes to winter roof leaks, the cold can’t take all the blame. There are a few common reasons why these leaks happen, especially in older roofs or ones that have already taken some storm damage. Some of the biggest troublemakers include:
• Ice dams forming along the edges of your roof. These thick ridges of ice stop melting snow from draining off your roof like it should. That water often has nowhere to go, so it creeps up under shingles.
• Heavy snow sitting on your roof for days or weeks. All that weight and moisture can push weak spots further, especially in places where shingles or flashing were already loose.
• Old storm damage from hail or wind that was never spotted. Winter weather puts pressure on those already weakened areas. A small problem can quickly turn into a bigger one once snow or ice get involved.
We usually don’t see what’s going on beneath the snow, but those hidden problems don’t disappear when the seasons shift. Instead, they wait for the right conditions to show up in a way we can’t ignore.
How Leaks Can Point to Hidden Storm Damage
When snow begins to melt and drip inside your home, it’s easy to blame the weather. But leaks in winter often point to something that happened long before the first snow fell. That slow drip might be your roof’s way of saying there’s hidden damage up top.
Here’s how that can happen:
• Shingles lifted or cracked during past wind storms might not let water in right away. But add a few icy days, and that water finds its path.
• A damaged roof deck or torn underlayment can let melting snow in from underneath, often without any clear sign from the outside.
• Gutters blocked by ice and packed snow push water back onto your roof instead of guiding it away. That backup can seep in at the edges, especially if the roof was already weak.
In most cases, small signs like this shouldn’t be ignored. They’re clues that something might be lurking deeper under the surface. Hail and wind can damage roofs, windows, siding, and more, and that kind of damage is often hard to see from the ground, which is why our team offers free inspections after severe weather.
Signs You Need a Closer Look from a Roofing Pro
Not every leak is easy to spot in time. Sometimes they don’t show up where you expect. That’s why it helps to pay attention to certain warning signs inside your home.
Watch out for these signs:
• Yellow or brown stains on ceilings or along walls. These are often the first hint that water is making its way inside.
• Shingles missing from your roof or dents in metal vents. Both are signs that hail or strong winds might’ve done more damage than you thought at the time.
• Damp insulation in your attic or a musty smell when you go upstairs. If your attic is letting water in during winter, there’s a good chance storm damage is making things worse.
These signs all point to problems that aren’t going to fix themselves. A roof leak might feel like a small drip, but it usually traces back to storm damage roofing issues that need to be uncovered before they grow.
Why Quick Action Helps Prevent Bigger Repairs
We know it’s tempting to wait until spring to deal with a roof problem. The snow will disappear, the weather will warm up, and everything will feel easier. But waiting can lead to bigger and more expensive repairs later on.
Here’s what may happen if a winter leak is left alone:
• Water can rot the wood framing under your roof, especially if moisture gets in every time it snows or thaws.
• Wet insulation loses its ability to keep your home warm, which sends heating bills up and makes your house less energy-efficient.
• Mold grows quickly, especially in damp attic corners. Once it’s there, it can spread into other parts of your house.
• The roof becomes weaker with each storm. Damage that started small in the fall could be a much larger issue by the time spring storms roll in.
Quick action doesn’t just stop leaks. It can help keep the rest of your home from needing repairs a few months down the road. When roof leaks are linked to storms, we can inspect the damage, help you document it, and work with your insurance company so needed repairs to your roof and exterior are handled under your policy whenever coverage applies.
Stay Ahead of Trouble Before It Spreads
By the time a leak shows up in winter, the damage might already be there. What you see now could actually be the result of a storm from weeks or even months ago.
The good news is that leaks serve as a warning. When you listen to that warning early, it protects the rest of your home from avoidable damage. The tough part is that many people don’t realize a leak in January might have started during that windy storm back in the fall. It’s these kinds of surprises that make winter a smart time to check on your roof.
We usually recommend having someone check the roof after major storms, especially if snow or ice followed soon after. It doesn’t take much for hidden storm damage to turn into a visible leak. A little checking now can make a big difference before the rainstorms of spring show up.
Noticing roof issues this winter or after recent storms in Edina, MN? Small leaks can signal bigger hidden problems that often get worse with heavy snow or ice. Many homes in the area face challenges from past storm damage, and those issues may not show until the weather shifts. At Act Roofing & Restoration, we help homeowners identify concerns by thoroughly inspecting for storm damage roofing before problems escalate. Reach out to us if you’re seeing any warning signs so we can take a closer look.