Weather in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Your Roof

How does the weather in Fort Wayne affect your home's roof? If you line in Indiana, take a look at what you need to know about the local climate and weather, roofing repairs, and roofing replacement.

What Does the Weather Have To Do With Your Roof?

The roof protects the rest of your home from the elements. As a first-line of defense against summer storms, fall winds, winter snow, and spring thaws, the roof has to stand up to everything from rain and lightning to hail and ice. Along with wild weather and storms, heat, humidity, and the UV light from the sun can also impact the roof.

The impact the weather has on your home's roof can loosen shingles, fade the exterior material, warp the structure, cause leaks, or result in other types of damage (such as algae and mold growth and curling shingles). This makes it important to understand how the weather affects the roof, what you can do to protect your home, and when repairs or a replacement are necessary.

How Does the Weather In Fort Wayne, Indiana Affect A Roof?

Fort Wayne has an average of 39 thunderstorms annually (primarily during the spring and summer months), gets just over 33 inches of snow per year, has an average peak-summer temperature of 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and can have regular winter lows into the teens, according to the National Weather Service.

These Indiana weather patterns can have an impact on your roof. For example, the longer the snow sits on top of your roof, the more likely the stress is to cause excessive wear and tear. Wintertime temperatures can cause water to freeze, creating ice dams.

Additionally, summer heat can warp and fade shingles. Spring and summer showers can add to the risk of algae and mold growth (especially when coupled with hot or humid weather), tear shingles from the roof, or increase the risk of water damage from leaks.

What Can You Do About the Weather In Fort Wayne?

While there's nothing you can do to stop the weather in Indiana, you can take steps to prevent roof damage or correct existing climate-related wear. To combat weathering and the issues that the elements can create:

• Schedule an inspection. The sooner you correct roofing problems, the less likely it is that weather will have a major impact on your home. Hire a professional roofing contractor to inspect the roof for cracks, missing shingles, defects, and other problems.
• Replace missing shingles. Does your roof have a few missing shingles? Not only does this affect the aesthetics of your home, it can let spring and summer rain or winter snow and ice into your home.
• Check the ventilation. Ventilation can help to reduce moisture in the attic or in an under-the-roof type of space. Too much moisture can rot wooden supports or the underlying layer of the roof.
• Replace missing or damaged flashing. Did a strong storm lift part of or carry away your roof's flashing? Without flashing, the roof is at risk for leaks. Contact a roofing contractor as soon as possible to repair or replace storm-damaged flashing.
• Replace rotten wood. If excess moisture from poor ventilation and summer heat or spring and summer rainwater has rotted the wooden supports or underlying roofing materials, a contractor will need to address the damage.

Severe weather-related damage such as a full or partial collapse, extreme rot, large holes, or noticeable fading may require a roof replacement. If you're not sure whether to repair or replace your roof, talk to a professional. A roofing contractor can assess the damage or wear before making a recommendation.

Does your roof have weather-related damage? Contact SL Construction for more information.