McLean, Virginia. – December 17, 2009  Northern Virginians know all too well what the U.S. National Weather Service means when it puts out a winter storm warning. It forewarns a combination of freezing winds, bone-chilling icy blasts and struggling through rising snow drifts. Winters in the northern regions of the state are bitterly cold and one local roofing contractor is worried not everyone knows how to thoroughly prepare their homes for the season.

Ken Briesemeister, owner of Roof Repair VA has been running his crews around the clock through recent storms trying to help customers that noticed wet patches in their ceilings even though it was snowing, not raining. People have been calling him complaining of water damage so bad the seams in the drywall are coming apart.

Roof Leaks Happen in the Winter

“They don’t understand why they are having roof leak issues in the winter,” reported Briesemeister. “It makes no sense to homeowners, but when I send my guys out to inspect a roof they discover the attic has not been vented properly and the condensation has built up so badly in the attic it’s soaking through everything.” In some cases the roof repair crew found colonies of killer black mould taking over the attic and wall structures.

Roofing experts agree roof ventilation is a concern not all homeowners consider. Typically, Northern Virginians put a lot of thought and effort into properly insulating a home and installing thermal pane windows. They willingly spend the money on energy efficient furnaces and put their attention on all the obvious energy conservation methods. When the cold weather hits, if a roof is under-ventilated the severe temperature outside meeting the warm air inside an insulated attic space creates instant condensation.

Protect Your Roof and Keep Your Heating Costs Down

“People tend to think that closing everything up tight is the answer to saving energy but it can have dire consequences,” warns Briesemeister. “All that condensation has to go somewhere if the ventilation is not sufficient to carry it out of the attic. It trickles down into the walls and ceilings. There will be a minimal amount of heat loss with roof vents but it’s nothing compared to the damage it does to a house when the moisture has no way to escape. The trick is to get just the right amount of air flow without losing too much heat.”

This week alone the National Weather Service has announced winter weather warnings for at least 30 cities in the state. Virginians are advised to bundle up and batten down the hatches, but not so tight it destroys the roof.

You can find out more about preparing your home for winter weather by visiting Ken Briesemeister’s website at www.RoofRepairVA.com.

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