Winter Roof Damage in Clarksville, TN

We have been repairing winter roof damage in Clarksville since 2003. Ice dams. Frozen

flashing. Condensation. All of it. We have seen homes near the Red River that get hit hard by

ice because of the humidity from the water. We have repaired roofs o Fort Campbell Blvd

where ice dams caused $5,000 in interior damage.

This article covers winter roof damage. What to look for. How to prevent it. And how we fix it.

Call (931) 666-1469 for a free inspection.

How Winter Damages Clarksville Roofs

Let us start with ice dams. Ice dams form when heat from your attic melts snow on the upper

part of your roof. The water runs down to the colder eaves. It freezes. It builds up. Water backs

up behind the ice dam and goes under your shingles. That causes leaks. The leak often shows

up in the ceiling of the top floor, far from the actual ice dam.

Ice dams are common in Clarksville because we have freeze-thaw cycles. A warm day (40

degrees) melts snow. A cold night (20 degrees) freezes it. Repeat. This is worse than a

sustained deep freeze because the melting and refreezing creates more ice.

Second, frozen flashing. Metal flashing expands and contracts with temperature. In cold

weather, it can pull away from chimneys and walls. The gap allows water in when the ice melts.

We see this on chimneys on homes o Tiny Town Road.

Third, condensation. Warm, moist air from your living space rises into the attic. It hits the cold

roof deck. It condenses. That moisture wets the insulation. It rots decking. It grows mold. In

Clarksville, where we heat our homes for 4 months, condensation is a real problem. Poor attic

ventilation makes it worse.

Fourth, ice weight. Heavy ice buildup adds weight. Ice is less dense than water, but it still adds

pounds. A 1-inch layer of ice over 1,000 sq ft weighs about 5,000 lbs. Gutters can pull away.

Shingles can crack. In extreme cases, the roof can sag.

Fifth, frozen gutters. Ice lls your gutters. Water cannot drain. It backs up under the shingles at

the eaves. This is often the first sign of an ice dam.

Fort Campbell families, base housing has experienced winter roof damage many times. We

have repaired dozens of ice dam leaks. The housing office knows us.

A: Keep your roof cool. Improve attic ventilation. Choose light-colored shingles (they re ect

heat). Avoid walking on your roof. But granule loss is inevitable with age. All shingles will lose

granules eventually.

How We Fix Winter Roof Damage (Step by Step)

1. Inspection. We look for ice dams, icicles (more than 12 inches long indicate a problem),

water stains in the attic, and damaged flashing. We also check the gutters for ice buildup.

1. Ice removal (if present). We use steam or hot water to melt ice dams. No chipping

(damages shingles). No chemicals (damages plants and shingles). We use a commercial

steamer. Cost is $300 to $800 depending on severity.

1. Leak repair. We remove damaged shingles and underlayment. We install new ice shield

(rubberized membrane) and new shingles. We make sure the ice shield extends at least 6 feet

up from the eaves.

1. Gutter repair. Reattach or replace gutters pulled away by ice. We use hidden hangers

every 24 inches. Cost is $200 to $500.

1. Flashing repair. Reseal or replace flashing that pulled away. We use new step flashing and

counter- flashing. Cost is $340 to $600.

1. Decking replacement. If water got in, decking may be rotted. We replace it. Cost $75 to

$150 per sheet.

1. Prevention recommendations. The root cause of ice dams is heat loss. We recommend

adding attic insulation (R-38 minimum) and improving ventilation (ridge vents and so t vents).

We can also install heated cables on the eaves ($300 to $600). We refer insulation work to

trusted contractors.

Why Hire Clarksville Roofing Co for Winter Damage?

We have the equipment for ice removal (steamers). We have the experience to nd hidden

damage (ice dams can cause leaks far from the dam itself). We also know how to prevent

future ice dams.

We also work with insulation contractors. A leak repair alone will not stop ice dams. You need

to stop the heat loss. We can coordinate the whole project.

For Fort Campbell families, we offer winter inspections before the first freeze. Catch problems

early. We also offer emergency service during winter storms.

Frequently Asked Questions

A: Yes, typically. Ice dams are considered a covered peril (weight of ice or snow). But you pay

your deductible. Prevention is cheaper. A $500 insulation upgrade can prevent a $2,000

insurance claim.