5 Roof Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore This Winter ❄️

Last winter, we responded to 47 emergency roof calls in Windsor-Essex that could have been prevented. Every single one started with a warning sign the homeowner noticed but chose to ignore “until spring.” By the time we arrived, what could have been a $500 repair had turned into thousands in damage.

Winter in Windsor-Essex is brutal on roofs. Our position on Lake Erie means we get hammered with lake-effect snow, punishing freeze-thaw cycles, and wind that can rip shingles off in minutes. Your roof is trying to tell you when something’s wrong—you just need to know what to look for.

Here are the five warning signs that should send you straight to the phone to call a professional roofer.

Warning Sign #1: Ice Dams Forming Along Your Eaves

What You’re Actually Seeing

Ice dams aren’t pretty winter decorations—they’re red flags. If you’re seeing thick ridges of ice along your roof’s edge, massive icicles hanging from gutters, or ice backup near your eaves, you’ve got a problem that’s actively damaging your home right now.

Here’s what’s happening: Warm air from your poorly insulated attic is heating your roof unevenly. Snow melts, runs down to the cold eaves, and freezes solid. As this ice builds up, it creates a dam that traps water on your roof. That water has nowhere to go but under your shingles and into your home.

The Windsor-Essex Factor

Our temperature swings make this worse. We’ll hit +5°C in the afternoon, dropping to -15°C overnight. This constant freeze-thaw cycle is like a wrecking ball for your roof. One warm day melts snow, one cold night creates an ice dam, and by the third cycle, water is dripping into your walls.

What To Do Right Now

Immediate action (today):

• Check your attic for proper insulation depth (should be R-50 or 16-20 inches in Ontario)
• Look for gaps where warm air escapes into attic space
• Verify you have functioning soffit and ridge vents

Professional help needed if:

• Ice dams are already formed and growing
• You see water stains on interior ceilings or walls
• Your attic feels warm (it should be cold in winter)

📞 Don’t wait on this one. Ice dams cause active damage every day they exist. Contact Cleroux Roofing for an emergency winter inspection before water enters your home.

Warning Sign #2: Sagging or Uneven Roof Lines

The View From Your Driveway Changes Everything

Most homeowners never look at their roof from a distance. Do this right now: stand across the street from your house and really look at your roofline. Is it perfectly straight, or are there dips? Does any section look bowed or lower than the rest?

If you see sagging, you have a structural emergency.

Snow Load: The Hidden Danger

Windsor-Essex gets significant snow accumulation—we’ve seen storms dump 2-3 feet in 48 hours. Wet, heavy snow weighs approximately 20 pounds per cubic foot. A 1,500 square foot roof under 3 feet of wet snow is supporting 90,000 pounds of weight.

Your roof was engineered for specific loads. If it’s sagging, those limits are being exceeded or the structure has been compromised.

Warning: This Is Not DIY Territory

DO NOT:

• Climb on your roof to shovel snow
• Ignore sagging and hope it resolves
• Wait to see if it gets worse

DO:

• Call a structural roofing expert immediately
• Keep family out of rooms directly under sagging areas
• Document with photos for insurance purposes

When structural integrity is compromised, you’re one snowfall away from catastrophic failure. We’ve seen roof collapses in Essex County—they happen fast and without additional warning.

🚨 Emergency situations require immediate response. Cleroux Roofing offers 24/7 emergency assessment services for structural concerns. We’ll be there within hours, not days.

Warning Sign #3: Interior Water Stains or Active Dripping

The Stain You See Is Just the Beginning

Found a brown or yellow stain on your ceiling? That discoloration represents gallons of water that have already entered your home. Water stains don’t appear from a few drops—they appear after significant infiltration has occurred.

Common locations for winter roof leaks:

• Ceiling corners near exterior walls
• Around chimney chases
• Near bathroom or kitchen exhaust vents
• Along exterior wall/ceiling joints
• In attic spaces (check there first)

Why Winter Leaks Are More Dangerous

Summer leaks dry out between rainstorms. Winter leaks don’t. The water sits, freezes, expands, and creates more damage. Meanwhile, your cold attic prevents proper evaporation, creating perfect conditions for mold growth within 24-48 hours.

Documentation Checklist for Insurance Claims

When you discover a leak, documentation is critical. Here’s what insurance adjusters want to see:

✓ Photo Checklist:

• Overall view of stained area with date stamp
• Close-up of stain showing extent
• Photos from attic showing entry point if visible
• Exterior roof photos (from ground level is fine)
• Any damaged belongings
• Weather conditions at time of discovery

✓ Written Documentation:

• Date and time you first noticed the issue
• Recent weather events (check saved weather reports)
• Any repairs or maintenance in the past 5 years
• Timeline of stain development if it grew over time

Want more details on the claims process? Check out our guide on storm damage emergency procedures.

Take Action Before Mold Takes Hold

Immediate steps:

1. Place buckets under active drips
2. Move furniture and belongings away from affected areas
3. Take photos of everything
4. Call Cleroux Roofing for emergency leak detection

Average costs if you wait:

• Roof repair only: $800 – $2,500
• Roof + ceiling repair: $3,000 – $6,000
• Roof + ceiling + mold remediation: $8,000 – $15,000
• Full structural repair with extensive damage: $15,000+

Many homeowners don’t realize their insurance may cover this damage—but only if you act quickly and document properly. Learn more about roof insurance claims in our detailed guide.

💧 Water damage spreads exponentially. What’s wet today will be moldy tomorrow. Get an emergency leak inspection from Cleroux Roofing within 24 hours of discovery.

Warning Sign #4: Excessive Attic Frost or Condensation

The Problem Hiding Above Your Head

When was the last time you went into your attic? Most Windsor-Essex homeowners haven’t been up there in years. That’s a problem, because your attic is telling you exactly how your roof will fail—you just aren’t listening.

Go up there on a cold day and look for:

• White frost coating the underside of your roof sheathing
• Frost or ice on nails poking through the roof
• Dripping condensation
• Water stains on wood
• Musty or moldy smell
• Wet or matted insulation

If you see any of this, you have a ventilation crisis that’s rotting your roof from the inside out.

Why This Happens in Essex County Homes

Older homes in Windsor, Tecumseh, LaSalle, and throughout Essex County were built before modern building codes required proper attic ventilation. Your home produces moisture constantly—showers, cooking, breathing—and warm, moist air naturally rises. Without proper ventilation and air sealing, this moisture enters your attic.

When that warm, humid air hits your freezing cold roof sheathing (remember, it’s -15°C outside), instant condensation occurs and immediately freezes. All winter long, you’re building up layers of frost.

Then spring comes. All that frost melts at once, creating gallons of water with nowhere to go. Your roof deck absorbs it, begins to rot, and within a few years, you’re facing a complete roof replacement that’s not covered by insurance because it’s “maintenance-related.”

The Fix Saves More Than Your Roof

Proper attic ventilation doesn’t just protect your roof—it slashes your energy bills. An overheated attic in summer makes your air conditioner work harder. A moisture-filled attic in winter reduces insulation effectiveness by 50% or more.

Average savings with proper ventilation:

• 20-30% reduction in summer cooling costs
• 15-20% reduction in winter heating costs
• 5-10 years added to roof lifespan
• Prevention of $5,000-$15,000 in premature roof deck replacement

What proper ventilation includes:

• Soffit vents (intake at eaves)
• Ridge vents or roof vents (exhaust at peak)
• Proper attic insulation with air barrier
• Sealed penetrations (lights, wires, pipes)

Wondering if your roof is past saving? Our article on when to repair vs. replace your roof walks through the decision-making process.

🌡️ Attic problems accelerate rapidly. One season of moisture damage can compromise your entire roof deck. Schedule an attic ventilation assessment with Cleroux Roofing before spring melt causes catastrophic damage.

Warning Sign #5: Granules in Your Gutters or on the Ground

The Sandy Truth About Your Shingles

After snow melts or during warm spells, walk around your house and look at your gutters and downspouts. If you see what looks like coarse sand or dark grit accumulating, those are shingle granules—and they’re supposed to be on your roof, not in your gutters.

Check the ground around downspout discharge areas. Is there a pile of sandy material? Look up at your roof from the ground. Can you see patches where shingles look darker or shinier than surrounding areas?

These are all signs your roof is rapidly deteriorating.

Why Granules Matter

Asphalt shingles are coated with ceramic granules that serve three critical functions:

1. UV protection – Shields the asphalt from sun damage
2. Fire resistance – Provides your roof’s fire rating
3. Weatherproofing – Protects against rain, snow, and ice

When granules wash off, the asphalt underneath is exposed directly to the elements. UV rays break down the asphalt, it becomes brittle, cracks form, and suddenly you have leaks everywhere.

Want to understand more about how asphalt roofing works? Read our comprehensive guide to asphalt roofing in Windsor-Essex.

The Freeze-Thaw Accelerator

Here’s why this is specifically a winter warning sign in our region: freeze-thaw cycles are murder on deteriorating shingles.

The destructive cycle:

1. Small amount of water seeps under damaged shingle
2. Temperature drops, water freezes and expands by 9%
3. Ice pushes up shingle edges, breaking adhesive bonds
4. More granules are dislodged and wash away
5. Larger area is now exposed and vulnerable
6. Cycle repeats with increasing damage

In Windsor-Essex, we can go through 30-40 freeze-thaw cycles in a single winter. Each cycle accelerates deterioration exponentially.

Granule Loss Timeline

Roof Age	Normal Granule Loss	Excessive Loss (Warning)	Critical Stage
0-5 years	Minimal, mostly manufacturing excess	Visible bare spots	Manufacturer defect suspected
5-10 years	Light loss in valleys/high traffic	Patches larger than hand-size	Consider inspection
10-15 years	Moderate, evenly distributed	Multiple bare areas visible	Plan replacement within 2 years
15-20 years	Significant but even	Large bare sections	Replace within 1 year
20+ years	Heavy, widespread	Shingles brittle and cracking	Replace immediately

What This Means for Your Budget

The worst mistake homeowners make is seeing granule loss and thinking, “I’ll get another year or two out of it.” Maybe you will—or maybe you’ll get catastrophic failure mid-winter.

Planning now vs. emergency later:

Planned Replacement (You Choose Timing):

• Shop for best contractor and price
• Schedule for optimal weather
• Get premium materials at your preferred price point
• Work happens during 3-4 calm days
• Average cost: Based on Windsor roof pricing standards

Emergency Mid-Winter Replacement:

• Take first available contractor (at premium rates)
• Work in challenging conditions (adds 20-30% to cost)
• Limited material selection (whatever’s available)
• May require tarping and multiple visits
• Additional damage from delay
• Insurance may not cover deterioration-based failure

Get Ahead of the Problem

If you’re seeing significant granule loss this winter, your roof is telling you replacement is coming soon. You have two choices:

1. Be reactive: Wait for failure, deal with emergency, pay premium prices, handle water damage
2. Be proactive: Plan replacement for spring/summer, get best contractor, save money, avoid stress

Smart homeowners choose option 2. Not sure when the right time is? Our guide when should you redo your roof provides a clear decision framework.

📊 Free roof assessment = peace of mind. Cleroux Roofing provides detailed inspections with written reports, photos, and honest timelines. No pressure, just facts you need to make smart decisions.

Don’t Play Roof Roulette This Winter

Every homeowner thinks, “It’ll be fine until spring.” Statistics say otherwise. Last winter alone, emergency roof failures caused an estimated $12 million in property damage across Essex County. Most of those failures showed warning signs weeks or months before collapse.

Your roof is a system, and like any system, it gives you signals before complete failure. The five warning signs we’ve covered aren’t possibilities—they’re guarantees of bigger problems if ignored.

Your Winter Roof Action Plan

Week 1 – Visual Assessment:

• Walk around your house and look up at rooflines for sagging
• Check gutters and ground for granules after snow melts
• Look for ice dams forming along eaves
• Note any interior stains or damp spots

Week 2 – Attic Inspection:

• Go into your attic on a cold day (safely, with proper lighting)
• Check for frost, condensation, or wet insulation
• Verify you have soffit and ridge ventilation
• Look for signs of past or present leaks

Week 3 – Professional Evaluation:

• If you found ANY warning signs, schedule a professional inspection
• Get a written assessment with photos
• Understand your timeline—repair now, plan for replacement, or emergency action
• Document everything for insurance if needed

Week 4 – Take Action:

• Make necessary repairs before the next major snowfall
• If replacement is needed, get on the schedule for spring
• Improve attic ventilation if recommended
• Set up monitoring schedule for rest of winter

Why Cleroux Roofing?

We’re not just local to Windsor-Essex—we’ve been protecting homes here for years. We understand lake-effect snow. We’ve seen what our freeze-thaw cycles do to every type of roof. We know which older neighborhoods have ventilation issues and which new developments cut corners.

What you get with Cleroux:

• Same-day emergency response available 24/7
• Detailed written inspections with photos and thermal imaging
• Honest assessments—if you don’t need a new roof, we’ll tell you
• Help with insurance claims and documentation
• All work backed by manufacturer warranties and our workmanship guarantee
• Licensed, insured, and fully compliant with all Windsor-Essex roofing permits

The choice seems obvious when you see it this way.

Take Control of Your Roof’s Future Today

You’ve read this far, which means you’re seeing warning signs or you’re worried. That concern is your instinct telling you something’s not right. Trust it.

Here’s what happens next:

1. Call or email Cleroux Roofing – We’ll ask about what you’re seeing and schedule an inspection at your convenience
2. We assess your roof thoroughly – From attic to shingles, we check everything and document it all
3. You get a detailed report – Photos, findings, honest recommendations, and budget estimates
4. You make informed decisions – No pressure, just the information you need to protect your home

Winter doesn’t wait, and neither should you. The warning sign you’re seeing today will be worse next week and significantly worse next month.

📞 Contact Cleroux Roofing Now

Emergency? We respond 24/7 Need an inspection? We’ll schedule within 48 hours Have questions? We provide free consultations

Click here to contact Cleroux Roofing or call us directly. Your roof is trying to tell you something—let’s figure out what it is before small problems become expensive disasters.

Serving all of Windsor-Essex County: Windsor, Tecumseh, LaSalle, Amherstburg, Leamington, Kingsville, Essex, and surrounding areas.

Don’t gamble with your largest investment. Get the facts, make a plan, and sleep better knowing your roof will make it through winter.