You don’t really give it all that much thought. Your roof, that is. Year after year, it silently protects your home, your family and your belongings. It resists everything from wind-driven rain and UV rays to deep snow and ice dams. It is unyielding in the face of the blazing summer sun and bitter winter cold. Then, a leak appears.

In New Jersey, extreme winter weather events are all too common. Heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain strike. High winds make matters worse. Powerful nor’easters develop as arctic air from Canada collides with the warmer, more humid air coming in off the Atlantic. At times, northern New Jersey gets hit with snow measured in feet. In fact, there’s been as

For many NJ residents, their home is the largest single investment. Homeowners do everything they can to protect their investment. They guard against risks that could put a home in jeopardy. They invest in high-quality roofing, siding and other materials that help to resist high winds and heavy precipitation. In the winter, there’s often snow and ice to contend with.

Winter presents a unique array of challenges to New Jersey residents. Motorists navigate the icy highways and byways of the Garden State. When they arrive home, they deal with drifted drives and slick sidewalks. Sometimes, they must deal with more problems up on the roof, like ice dams and big piles of snow. Timely snow removal reduces the chance of

There are many ways that winter weather can cause roof leaks and cause damage to your home. For starters, ice dams may force moisture up and under shingles. Wind-blown rain may get under curled shingles. Cracked flashing or damaged sealant may allow water to seep into the roof’s substructure. Aging or poorly designed or installed roofs are especially vulnerable to

The question of how to remove snow from a roof is one homeowners ask almost every winter. Throughout history, there have been many wives’ tales and interesting techniques created to attempt to remove snow from a roof. In fact, one even suggests using a rope to lasso snow off the roof. Unfortunately, this rather creative technique works mostly with fluffy

New Jersey blizzards are notorious for bringing wet snow that sticks to roofs like glue. As snow changes to heavy rain, it often makes things worse for your roof and your home. Rain-saturated snow gets very heavy. Temperatures that oscillate above and below freezing build ice dams along the eaves as giant icicles reach for the ground below. Snow, slush

New Jersey roofs are designed to withstand the elements. They need to be strong enough to survive, year after year. Whether it’s winter, spring, summer or fall, high winds and other extreme events routinely assault residential roofs. In the winter, nor’easters sometimes dump massive amounts of heavy, wet snow on area rooftops. Proper protection of the home and its occupants

Homeowners insurance policies cover many forms of roof damage that are the direct result of winter weather. These policies cover roof damage caused by what insurers call a “covered peril.” Common examples are fire, wind and hail. As Allstate says regarding this policy, “it typically helps pay to repair sudden, accidental damage.” 

A proper New Jersey roof must support its own weight, the weight of a possible second layer of shingles and heavy snow/ice accumulations. Ideally, it will also have the strength to resist large branches that might strike it.  

It is a real shock when extreme winds or other forces damage your roof. Insurers refer to them as “covered perils.” Hail and fire are other examples. Sustaining roof damage is a jarring experience for a homeowner. One day, you’re enjoying the comfort and security afforded by your roof. The next, you’re in a full-blown emergency. When your roof is