Up on the Roof: When Water Turns Against You

Why Winter Weather Can Be Just as Destructive as Hail in North Texas

When North Texans think about roof damage, one word dominates the conversation. Let's all say it together: "Hail."

And for good reason! Hailstorms can shred shingles in minutes, dent flashing, and leave visible scars across entire neighborhoods.

But there’s another kind of damage that doesn’t always announce itself with noise and drama. It doesn’t arrive with thunder and sirens. Instead, it sneaks in quietly, works slowly, and often does far more structural damage long-term:

FREEZING WATER.

Winter weather may feel mild compared to northern states, but that actually makes it more dangerous for your roof. Our buildings, materials, and maintenance habits simply aren’t designed for sustained freezing cycles. And all it takes is a little trapped water and a few cold nights for serious problems to begin.

Let’s compare the “loud” damage of hail with the “silent” damage of winter.

Hail: Fast, Violent, and Visible

Hail damage is dramatic and usually easy to spot.

Typical hail damage includes:

• Bruised or missing shingles

• Granule loss that exposes asphalt

• Cracked tile

• Dented metal flashing and vents

• Immediate leaks after the storm.

The upside of hail? It announces itself.  Insurance tends to respond quickly, homeowners know when to call for inspections, and damage is often addressed within weeks.

Hail is like a car wreck. Sudden. Obvious. Immediate.

Freezing Water: Slow, Hidden, and Structural

Winter damage works very differently. Instead of impact, it relies on expansion. When water freezes, it expands by about 9%—and that expansion is powerful enough to crack rock, burst pipes, and lift roofing materials.

Here’s how that turns into roof damage:

1. Freeze–Thaw Cycles

North Texas winters don’t stay frozen. We often bounce above and below 32°F for days at a time. That’s the most destructive pattern.

Water works in the following schedule:

• Seeps into tiny cracks, seams, and nail penetrations

• Freezes and expands

• Thaws and sinks even deeper

• Refreezes and expands again.

  
  

Each cycle widens the damage like a wedge being tapped into stone.

2. Lifted Shingles and Broken Seals

As water freezes beneath shingles, it can break the adhesive seals that keep shingles locked together. It can slightly lift shingle edges, making them vulnerable to wind. Once lifted, future rain and even light wind can cause blow-offs. Months later, homeowners often blame “wind damage,” never realizing winter quietly set the trap.

3. Ice Dams: The Hidden Roof Wrecker

Even in Texas, ice dams can form on poorly ventilated roofs.

Here’s what happens:

• Heat from the attic melts snow or frost near the ridge

• Water runs downward and refreezes at the colder eaves

• Ice builds up and traps more melting water behind it

• That trapped water has nowhere to go, so it backs under your shingles and into your roof deck.

  
  

Unlike hail, ice dam leaks often happen days after the weather event, confusing homeowners and delaying repairs.

4. Gutter Damage and Fascia Rot

Frozen gutters become heavy, rigid ice troughs. That weight can:

• Pull gutters loose from the fascia

• Crack seams and downspouts

• Let water run behind the gutter system instead of through it.

  
  

Once water gets behind the gutters, it begins soaking the fascia boards, soffits, and roof edge decking, leading to wood rot that is rarely visible until it’s advanced.

5. Cracked Flashing and Vent Boots

Unlike shingles, metal and rubber components do not expand and contract at the same rate as roofing materials. Freezing temperatures make rubber brittle and metal less forgiving.

Common failures include:

• Split pipe boots

• Cracked sealants around flashing

• Separated chimney flashing joints.

  
  

These failures often don’t leak immediately. They gradually allow moisture into the roof system over months.

Hail vs. Freeze Damage: A Quick Comparison

Hail Damage	Freeze Damage
Sudden and violent	Slow and repetitive
Usually visible	Often hidden
Often covered immediately by insurance	Often discovered months later
External surface damage	Structural and internal damage
Homeowners act quickly	Homeowners often delay unknowingly

One good way to think about is this: hail attacks from the outside in; freezing water attacks from the inside out.

Why North Texas Homes Are Especially Vulnerable

Homes in colder states are built with deeper roof ventilation systems, better ice-dam protection, and materials rated for sustained freezes. North Texas, however, is built for heat. When unusual freezes hit, insulation and ventilation may be insufficient. Gutters may be undersized for ice load. Sealants may not be cold-rated. Maintenance schedules are often delayed because “we don’t get real winters,” as you often hear people say. All of that makes freeze damage more likely, not to mention more expensive when it finally shows itself.

The Most Dangerous Part: You Often Don’t Know It Happened

Hail gives you noise, dents, missing shingles, and obvious trouble.

Freeze damage gives you:

• A faint ceiling stain three months later

• A slow drip inside a wall

• Hidden deck rot

• Mold forming long before the leak is discovered.

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By the time many winter-related roof problems are found, the damage is already structural. Yes, the damage can go far beyond your roof.

Preparing Your Roof for Winter Is Just as Important as Storm Season

If your roof hasn’t been inspected recently, winter is not the season to “wait and see.”

A proper winter-readiness check includes:

• Shingle seal integrity

• Flashing and vent boot inspection

• Gutter attachment and slope verification

• Attic ventilation and moisture control

• Early detection of water intrusion points.

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A roof prepared for freeze is a roof that also stands up better to spring storms.

Final Thoughts

A friend of ours, Ryan Kadlec from Fixed Lending, migrated to North Texas from Colorado. In comparing our winters to those back home, he gave our winters a far worse rating. He said, "Up there, we get these nice blankets of powdery snow. Down here, it's ice! And nobody has the equipment to deal with it!"

Hail may punch your roof. But winter pulls it apart one freeze at a time.

In North Texas, we watch the sky for hail, but we should be watching our roofs for the quiet damage left behind by winter.

If you’d like your roof inspected before the next cold front rolls through, Great American Roofing is always happy to take a look from Up on the Roof, so small problems don’t become structural ones.