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How Seasonal Weather Can Affect or Damage Your Home

July 14, 2022

You work hard to keep that roof over your head. That's why it's important to maintain your home's longevity. Paying attention to the seasonal weather changes that affect your home will save you a significant amount of time and money. And, while you may initially think of the harshest of conditions mother nature throws our way (i.e. hurricanes, tornados, blizzards, etc.), it takes far less to cause deterioration of a home's structure over time. Luckily, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Listed below are damaging weather conditions that arise year-round, and simple ways you (or a service professional) can protect your home.

While many of these solutions can likely be done on your own, if you're looking for contractors, you'll want to be sure they're licensed and insured. You may also want to check online reviews to see what others in your community have to say about them. GAF certified roofing contractors^* can be sorted on GAF.com based on star recommendation ratings.

Spring / Summer

The Spring and Summer seasons bring a wave of excitement for warmer weather, beach days, vacations, barbeques, and fun indoor activities. Yet, we often forget that summer can bring about some of the most severe storms, fires, hail, and floods. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 Americans experienced a weather disaster in the summer of 2021^**and this trend is expected to continue. So, bracing your home to withstand the elements is more important than ever.

Roof: Your home's roof system takes the brunt of weather damage. To ensure your roof can hold up to the challenges that mother nature presents, you'll want to regularly check that your roofing system is in good condition to prevent water infiltration into your home.
- Solution #1: Clean your gutters and downspouts as needed to ensure water is running off your roof and away from your home properly. A full or clogged gutter may cause water to back up onto your roof and into your attic and may even cause the gutter itself to fall from excessive weight.
- Solution #2: The best preventative maintenance is having a professional roofing inspection. Spring is an ideal time to hire a licensed roofing contractor^* to check for missing or damaged shingles from the previous seasons. This in turn can prevent leaks and water damage as the rainy season approaches. Plus, being proactive with roof maintenance can also help with insurance claims, if and where applicable. Don't forget to also take a look at flashing, valleys and other parts of your roof.

Attics: For most homeowners, attics are 'out of sight, out of mind' but the summer heat can cause significant problems. Moisture generated by daily routines in the home as well as the exterior elements (i.e. humidity; rain), may accumulate in the attic if there isn't proper ventilation. This can cause a series of problems, including mold and mildew. In addition, poor attic ventilation can cause an increased air conditioning bill during the warmer months due to your HVAC having to work harder. Moreover, improper or nonexistent attic ventilation can cause costly roofing systems and structural problems including mold.

Solution: Attic ventilation is about ensuring proper balance of intake and exhaust ventilation. The intake vents at the bottom of the roof, typically at the soffit or overhangs, allow external, cooler air into the attic while forcing out the superheated moist air from the exhaust vents, typically at or near the roof's ridge. And while this is the general concept, it's wise to learn more about effective attic ventilation. If you're a visual learner check out this quick 2 minute video, and then discuss your specific home's needs with a roofing professional.
Windows and Doors: Any gaps or cracks may allow water to seep through during a rainstorm. Over time the build-up of moisture not only causes water damage, which increases the risk of mold, but also becomes particularly attractive to termites.
- Solution: Search your windows and doors for cracks, worn or missing weatherstrips, and peeled or cracked caulk. Replace with the appropriate materials to seal gaps and repel water and moisture.

Foundation: Water trickling through your home's foundation during and after rain storms will cause major damage.
- Solution: Be proactive. Inspect and repair any cracks in the foundation. Be sure to check your basement thoroughly for cracks and gaps as well.

Landscape: In the case of protecting your home from water damage, landscape grading involves sloping the land so that water flows away from a house.
- Solution: There is quite a bit more that goes into proper landscaping to ensure proper drainage around the home's exterior, but grading your land is a must to protect your home throughout the seasons. And, with proper guidance it doesn't have to be an expensive task.

Your Home's Interior: Heat and light entering your home not only drives up your energy bill, but also causes fading of your walls, carpets, and furniture. Additionally, high humidity increases the risk for mold.
- Solution #1: Close the drapes and blinds and/or consider clear UV-blocking window films that can be installed for added protection.
- Solution #2: In addition to keeping a close check on leaks in and around your home, be sure to have any rooms with excess moisture well-ventilated to minimize the chance of mold which is harmful to you- and the structure of your home.

Check Your Trees: If you have trees that are dead, diseased or hollowed it may not withstand the winds and rainfall from summer storms.
- Solution: Have a tree expert check out the trees around your home and remove any that are concerning so that they don't end up harming anyone – or falling on your home.

Fall / Winter

Frigid temperatures, mounds of snow, icicles hanging from the gutters... The cold weather does more than put a damper on your mood – it greatly affects your home. So be prepared before the year's first freeze.

Roof: Ice dams form when snow or ice melts and then refreezes, causing a buildup of ice at the edge of your roof. Uneven roof temperatures also play a major role in the development of ice dams as warmer temperatures inside the attic cause ice to melt on the upper portion of the roof and then it refreezes as it drains off to cooler parts of the roof, typically near the soffit or overhangs. Ice dams are also typically seen when gutters are blocked as the melted water cannot drain properly. This in turn forces the water to back up under the shingles, which can cause damaging leaks in your attic or living space. There are a few ways you can prepare for the winter:
- Solution #1: Before winter hits, remove any debris from your gutters and valleys to prevent clogged gutters.
- Solution #2: An extendable roof rake can be used to gently remove snow/ice at the lower edge of the roof line. To be safe and avoid further damage to your shingles, only do this for a one-story home. Do not apply extraneous pressure and don't climb on the roof.
- Solution #3: A balanced and effective attic ventilation system can help prevent uneven roof heating by keeping attic temperatures similar to the exterior ambient temperature. When attic temperatures are similar to the exterior temperature, there is a reduction in the freeze thaw cycle which often allows ice dams to form. Check out this short video about attic ventilation.
- Solution #4: Consider calling a roofing professional* in your area to help prepare your roof for the season.

Foundation: During the winter the ground goes through a freeze/thaw cycle in which it freezes and then melts, over and over. This causes the soil to shift (expand and contract) which means there is movement beneath and around your home's foundation. This can ultimately cause pressure and damage potentially leading to cracks in your foundation.
- Solution #1: Repair any cracks in the foundation to prevent water getting in them, which then expands the cracks further as water turns to ice and the freeze/thaw cycle continues.
- Solution #2: Fix yard drainage issues. Similar to the ice dam challenge for your roof, the more water that backs up in your yard forces it into and against your home's foundation.
- Solution #3: Install a drainage system or sump pump, and make sure there is proper land grading around the home, where the land slopes away from (and not toward) the foundation.
Pipes (Indoor and Outdoor): When water freezes, it expands. This causes pressure within your pipes, and can lead to a burst pipe inside your home, as well as damaged pipes in your outdoor irrigation systems (i.e. sprinkler systems).
- Solution #1: Insulate your exposed water pipes. Materials can vary from foam to rubber and may also differ based on whether the pipes carry hot water.
- Solution #2: Let your water faucets drip ever so slightly in freezing weather conditions to keep the water continually flowing through your pipes, and thereby help avoid freezing.
- Solution #3: Blow out your pipes. This essentially means turning off the main water source to your outdoor irrigation system or sprinklers and draining them so no water is left within them to freeze.
Tree Limbs: In the winter conditions, weight from snow and ice or low temperatures can cause limbs to break and fall on your roof, power lines, or siding.
- Solution: Be sure to prune them during the fall and clear off excessive snow during the winter.

Remember, with proper planning and safety precautions the steps you take now to prevent costly damages will save you time, money, and stress. And if like many others your roof is top of mind, be sure you are working with a certified professional you can trust.

^*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. Contractors may have agreed that they will use GAF roofing products, and may receive benefits, such as loyalty rewards points and discounts on marketing tools from GAF for participating in the program.

^**https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/09/04/climate-disaster-hurricane-ida/

About the Author

Stefanie Zinchiak

Director, Consumer Engagement, Women's Choice Award Stefanie is the Director of Consumer Engagement at the Women's Choice Award and wears many hats, but among her favorite responsibilities is content writing for a variety of industry-specific brands, as well as publishing over 100 patient education healthcare brochures utilized by healthcare facilities. In addition to her marketing experience, Stefanie was a 6-time award-winning educator and school administrator. She resides in Coral Springs, FL with her husband, two young children, and her Shetland Sheepdog, where she enjoys reading, writing, swimming and the occasional full night's sleep.

Manufacturing sustainability is a top priority for GAF. In 2022, the company announced its 2030 Planet Goals to "focus on operational improvements, product transparency, and the introduction of circularity in the asphaltic shingle industry."Looking to lead positive change while considering the long-term impact of its business on the planet, GAF identified several goals, including:Diverting 1 million tons of roofing materials from landfills while integrating recycled shingle materials into new shingle productsDiverting 80% of manufacturing waste from landfills, recycling all shingle and TPO scrap that results from the manufacturing process, and recycling or reusing fiberglass mat scraps and coresReducing embodied carbon and operation carbon throughout its manufacturing and operationsAchieving Environmental Product Declarations for its core products, conducting life cycle assessments, and generating 2.5 GW of power from solar roofs in partnership with GAF EnergyMeeting these goals takes time, resources, innovation, and ingenuity, all backed by a team working to build a better world. Every GAF location is striving to meet the company's goals. Looking back on the progress made in 2023, some impressive accomplishments are bringing the company closer to achieving full manufacturing sustainability.Residential ManufacturingThe GAF Mt. Vernon, Indiana, shingle manufacturing plant worked toward achieving sustainable operations through robust recycling efforts. The team established a shingle recycling outlet estimated to divert thousands of tons of asphalt shingles from landfills annually. This has eliminated thousands of dollars in disposal fees and reduced transportation costs.The Mt. Vernon staff found creative ways to keep complex waste materials out of landfills, including working with a local golf course that could take the plant's waste sand. The team implemented an internal recycling program that includes cardboard and packaging materials, increasing its waste diversion score.Commercial ManufacturingAt the Gainesville, Texas, plant that manufactures TPO and Polyiso, team members earned the area's first waste diversion certification for both products' waste streams. They also earned a recycled content certification for each.The plant established a trial program with a plastics recycler to reprocess TPO skin material for reuse in manufacturing new material. Recycling and reusing would divert thousands of tons of waste from landfills and use recycled materials in manufacturing flexible TPO for flashings.The plant also developed a program with a local recycling company that serves as a single source to take its pallets, large cardboard boxes, facers, paper, and plastics.Sustainability All-StarsRecycling and manufacturing sustainability programs wouldn't be possible without the people behind the initiatives. GAF is proud to spotlight these individuals who went above and beyond to meet the company's sustainability goals.Ben AnselmanAs part of the Mt. Vernon team, Anselman was critical to starting the plant's core recycling program. He initiated repairs to an existing baler and established a program for recycling the super sacks. His creativity sparked the partnership with the local golf course to divert aggregate waste from landfills. In addition, he was the champion for the shingle recycling outlet project and repurposed an existing compactor to reinstate a cardboard recycling initiative.Christina Talladira and Amy WilsonThese teammates lead the core recycling program at the Tampa, Florida, manufacturing plant. They worked together to establish aggregate and shingle recycling programs with their local recycling company. Talladira and Wilson consistently look for ways to divert waste streams from landfills. They also handle the administrative needs accompanying these programs, including scheduling loads and tracking waste.Jeremy TisdaleAt the Tuscaloosa, Alabama, plant, Tisdale took the initiative to improve its core recycling program and set up a cardboard recycling program. He also championed a baler trial for glass mat cover and core waste, developing standard operating procedures and a job safety analysis. He was the innovator behind diverting the plant's plastic waste from landfills. He created a program where stretch film and shingle bundle packaging waste is saved in Gaylord boxes and then baled whenever the plant has downtime.Pete WeyrensIn Gainesville, Texas, Weyrens is the champion behind the plant's recycling efforts, establishing relationships with the local recycling company. He also organized the flexible TPO skin material trials. This effort will divert thousands of tons of waste from landfills and use recycled materials to manufacture flexible TPO for flashings.Leslie PeelsAfter the plant in Cumming, Georgia, saw a drop in its year-over-year waste diversion rate, Peels stepped in to turn those numbers around. Leading the effort to separate recyclable materials from regular waste, the Cumming location saw an impressive increase in keeping waste out of the landfill. Peels also set an example in data collection and analysis to keep the plant's sustainability goals on track.TJ Jenkins and Todd WinsteadJenkins and Winstead represent the TPO team at the Mt. Vernon manufacturing plant. Working together, they used their knowledge and experience in the TPO manufacturing process to help earn the plant's recycled content certifications. They also found a way to divert calcium chloride from local landfills and continue to work closely with the sustainability team to support waste diversion efforts.Sustainability PromiseGAF is committed to "Protect What Matters Most," and that includes people, communities, and the planet. Its sustainability promise is an opportunity to invest in a healthy future for everyone. Learn more about that commitment in its sustainability report.

Ennis, Texas, might be best known for hosting the National Polka Festival every year, but it's also home to many GAF professionals who support the community.GAF has been part of the Ennis community for over 45 years, where its footprint has grown to include a research and development center and two manufacturing plants. In addition to the work GAF employees complete onsite, many have used their connections to champion local organizations' efforts. GAF knows how important it is to build resilient, thriving communities, and its continued commitments in Ennis offer proof of what's possible.The GAF Ennis Facility's Tradition of Giving BackWith over 260 employees at the Ennis facility, it has a significant impact on the surrounding area. Many team members have worked there for 30 to 40 years, or more, and are lifelong residents of the city. One of the plants manufactures fiberglass mat rolls, a critical component used in roofing materials, while the other plant manufactures shingles. The shingle plant recently expanded to include recycled asphalt briquettes, which will be used in manufacturing recycled asphalt shingles to divert 300,000 tons of waste from landfills.David Tuttle, Senior Director of Residential Operations at GAF, joined the community in 2004 and in 2012 set out to help his friends and neighbors flourish with increased community engagement. He first joined the board of the Ellis County Children's Advocacy Center and has since expanded his service to other organizations, including two local United Way chapters, and the Ennis Boys and Girls Club.Tuttle's work started a legacy of community leadership. For instance, Joe Glanton, the GAF plant's community engagement ambassador, is now President of the Board of Directors of Greater Ennis United Way. Other GAF associates quickly followed suit, demonstrating their commitment to the community by working on local projects as well as joining the board of the Ennis Boys and Girls Club.Today, the tradition of giving back still runs strong. Many local groups and charitable organizations continue to benefit, and the community keeps growing stronger.GAF Ennis Facility's Community ImpactProviding justice, hope, and healingTuttle was instrumental in setting an example for community engagement. After joining the board of the Ellis County Children's Advocacy Center more than a decade ago, he eventually served as Board President. The nonprofit responds to child abuse and sexual assault reports, providing advocacy, forensic interviews, and mental health services to those affected."Our charge is to provide justice, hope, and healing for every child," Tuttle explains. After serving two years as Board President, and two as Past President, his 12-year tenure on the board is ending, but Tuttle has been working to bring other GAF team members into the organization and maintain support for Ennis's youngest residents.Stepping upGAF team member, Angela Adams, who is also an Ennis Boys and Girls Club board member, serves as a mentor through the Mentors Care program. After a Mentors Care representative was invited to speak at the Ennis plant, three of her colleagues signed up to volunteer as mentors. "I was so impressed by the number of employees who showed up to listen to what Mentors Care had to say," Adams notes.Mentors Care matches struggling high school students with mentors who serve as positive role models to help students manage their day-to-day challenges. The nonprofit recently reported that 100% of seniors in the program graduated, 92% of mentored students achieved a 90% school attendance rate, and 89% of students advanced to the next grade level.Unique solutions for unique challengesMatt Neal, GAF engineering manager, serves as Board President of Runnin' Free Ranch, which serves area veterans, at-risk youth, and individuals with special needs through counseling with horses. The organization is working to change the lives of Ennis residents who face unique challenges.A local US Navy veteran who participates in the program wrote that he was "a prisoner of rage and unending bitterness" after he departed from serving. Though he doubted a horse could help him, he eventually realized that "our therapy sessions have comprised of laughter, tears, frustration, and a release of tension that I've never experienced before."Making a direct impact when it's needed mostJoe Glanton has been involved in the evolution of many community organizations, including serving as a board-level leader for the Ennis CARES organization. Founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ennis CARES was developed to help community members with non-emergency needs, including food, health care, and other services. Glanton notes that "it's a natural extension of our work to be as supportive and active as possible with organizations that have a direct impact on protecting what matters most."Ennis CARES will soon break ground on a new community center and "combat multiplier" for local charities, opening space to house a food bank and provide services such as health care for women and seniors.Disaster ResponseRandy Brumley, GAF mat plant Production Process Manager, met Team Rubicon—a disaster response organization—when they visited the Ennis plant. He instantly decided to become a greyshirt volunteer alongside several other team members.Brumley wrote about his first operation, where he responded to Houston neighborhoods affected by Hurricane Harvey. "Team Rubicon is a diamond class organization held together by volunteers—veterans and civilians—and respect at its core," he explains. "For anyone who has the chance, I would say: Step into the arenal!" Brumley has been a part of the Ennis community, and a GAF employee for over 40 years, and also serves as a member of the Ennis Boys and Girls Club.Becoming Part of the CommunityTuttle shares that he and his teammates appreciate that GAF affords them the flexibility and opportunity to give back to their communities. "It's exciting that GAF provides the support and encouragement to go and serve," he says. "We owe it to our communities; we're really blessed and privileged with our jobs and careers and the benefit to go volunteer. Everyone has the ability to go and find a place to serve."With a total of 34 manufacturing locations spread throughout 26 communities across the US, GAF and its team members are well positioned to change lives and help build resiliency nationwide. Curious to learn more about joining the GAF team? Explore the available career options and opportunities to get involved.

Want to save money on your heating and cooling bills and keep your home feeling pleasant year-round, regardless of the weather outside? Opting for an energy-efficient roof might be the way to go.You can replace your existing roof with a new system that uses energy-efficient materials and colors. For instance, while a roof's color may seem like an aesthetic choice, it can play a part in keeping a house cooler in the summer by reflecting sunlight. Meanwhile, the best roofing materials for energy efficiency can help with thermal emittance and keep a house warmer in the winter.Here's a comprehensive overview of energy-efficient roofs, why color and material matter, and why you might consider updating your home's roof.Benefits of Energy-Efficient RoofsAside from offering protection from the outside elements, reducing your home's environmental impact, and enhancing its curb appeal, energy-efficient roofs can offer several benefits. With energy-efficient roofing materials, homeowners may notice cost savings through a reduction in energy consumption, and more interior comfort during particularly hot or cold weather conditions. The lifetime of a roof may even be extended, depending on manufacturer warranties. All of these factors can positively impact the resale value of your home when it's time to sell.Additionally, local laws may require your home to meet certain energy standards, which an energy-efficient roof can help with. For example, due to Title 24, California homes must comply with specific cool roof requirements. GAF shingles like Timberline HDZ® RS Shingles and Timberline® CS Shingles have been rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) for use in Title 24 projects. At GAF, a primary focus is building sustainable products that not only adhere to changing building standards, but also help create a more sustainable future.Most Energy-Efficient Roofing MaterialsGenerally, the most energy-efficient roofing materials are metal, tile, and asphalt. Here's how each of these materials differ.MetalMetal roofs are known for their longevity. Metal is also considered one of the best roofing materials for reflecting sunlight, which results in improved energy efficiency. Its strong insulation properties help keep the interior at a comfortable temperature while keeping out hot (or cold) exterior air. Lastly, metal roofs are environmentally friendly, as most of the material is recyclable.TileCommonly made from clay and slate, tile roofs are another energy-efficient option. Tile roofs are often seen in the Southwest, where daily temperatures can reach triple digits and the sun beats down most of the day. This roofing material sometimes comes preheated to help reduce heat absorption in sunny weather and high-temperature areas. You can also add coatings to the roof to further improve its reflectivity once it's installed.AsphaltWhile asphalt shingles are a popular choice across homes in the United States, they aren't known to have a lot of solar-reflecting ability. That said, many new energy-efficient asphalt shingles are equipped with solar-reflecting granules.For example, GAF Timberline® CS Shingles can help keep your attic cool and allow you to use your home's air conditioning system less. And GAF Timberline HDZ® RS Shingles, which are rated by the Cool Roof Rating Council, come in several light and dark finishes, so you can choose your color scheme. These shingles offer excellent performance and can withstand strong wind speeds, while giving you the same look as traditional asphalt shingles.Best Roof Colors to Reflect HeatLight roof colors tend to reflect more sunlight and heat than darker colors. Popular light colors used for energy-efficient homes are white, light gray, and light brown.White is the most effective roof color to reflect heat. According to the US Department of Energy, a white roof stays coolest because it can reflect anywhere from 60% to 90% of sunlight. Meanwhile, other products typically reflect 30% to 60% of sunlight. Darker colors tend to absorb more heat, with black roofs absorbing the most heat followed by brown and dark gray.Shingles That Reflect Heat Regardless of ColorThough darker colors tend to absorb more heat, you may want a darker roof to match your home's aesthetics. For example, if you want your home's siding to stand out, a dark-colored roof is more favorable than a light one.Today, you don't have to decide between color and energy efficiency: modern shingles, like GAF cool roof shingles, can still reflect heat despite their dark shade. For instance, GAF Timberline HDZ® RS+ Shingles are offered in charcoal, hickory, aged chestnut, and other rich colors while still maintaining their high energy efficiency. You can choose the color that best fits your home's design without having to sacrifice your roof's energy efficiency.When Color May Not Matter as MuchKeep in mind your local weather and your property's features. If your home doesn't get as much sun or is covered in shade by nearby trees, the color of your roof may not matter as much when it comes to solar reflectance.Other Ways to Improve Roof Energy EfficiencyApart from color and roofing material, you can take other steps to improve your roof's energy efficiency.InsulationAttic insulation protects your roof during any season. In the summer, it reduces the transfer of heat coming in from outside. While your roof material is the first line of protection, you can think of insulation as your second line of defense.Insulation also protects your home against humidity and can prevent pests from getting inside your home. During the winter months, attic insulation can also prevent ice dams that can lead to expensive damage.VentilationIf your roof doesn't have proper ventilation, heat will always make its way inside. Proper ventilation allows the warm air inside to constantly shift out through the vents and be replaced with cooler air. Apart from regulating temperatures, it reduces condensation, which can result in mold, and keeps your insulation in good condition. Adding roof and attic vents while ensuring insulation isn't covering any airflow is the best way to ensure good ventilation.Updating Your Roof with Modern MaterialsFor more help navigating the variety of energy-efficient roofing materials available, speak to a local contractor. These professionals can tell you what's most popular in your area and help you understand the advantages you could enjoy after upgrading to a more energy-efficient roof.

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