In Santa Fe and the surrounding areas of New Mexico, certain conditions make for rather unique challenges when it comes to your home’s health. During the winter, we have cold nights but mild days, a subsequent frequent freeze-thaw cycle, and snow that arrives melts quickly.
Stucco houses with their signature flat roofs are very well-adapted to the Santa Fe climate in ways that pitched roofs wouldn’t be, but these winter quirks do come with certain factors that can cause problems if not attended to. Let’s take a look:
Normal expectations for flat roofs in winter
To start, let’s establish what’s normal in wintertime if you have a flat roof:
Temporary ponding after snowmelt
On roofs that are either flat or have a low slope, shallow water is common after snow or rain. Generally speaking, you should expect that to clear within 48 hours if everything is functioning properly.
Minor ice buildups near drainage systems
Small ice patches can occur — especially overnight when temperatures drop — near canales or drainage systems. This is pretty typical. In a place like Santa Fe where you have quite a bit of freeze-thaw cycling going on, that will usually melt during the day when the temperatures rise again.
Membrane contraction in cold weather
Single-ply membranes will tighten in cold temperatures and relax when temperatures get warmer; don’t be alarmed by small movement and minor wrinkling or flattening, which is a natural side effect of that contraction-expansion back-and-forth.
Light surface staining from snowmelt
The combination of desert dust and melting snow can leave light streaks or stains. These will fade as a flat roof dries, but under normal circumstances is typically only a cosmetic problem that doesn’t indicate any damage.
These are all normal and to be expected, but what about things that indicate otherwise?
Signs that could indicate a problem
Here are signs you might want to look into further:
Ponding water lasting more than 48 hours
While a bit of ponding that evaporates within a day or two is natural with a flat roof, it can be both a sign and cause of problems if this continues longer. Water remaining in low spots of a flat roof for more than 48 hours can signal poor drainage, including sagging or clogged drains. It also can lead to damage over time.
Leaks or new interior ceiling stains
Any interior leak or new stain in the winter is a cause for concern. Our freeze-thaw cycles and any standing meltwater can exploit membrane or seam failures, leading to leaks and damage. Because of this, it’s really important you address these quickly if you notice them.
Cracks, blisters, or soft spots on the roof surface
Similar to leaks and stains, visible cracks, blistering, or spongy areas in the membrane or parapets of stucco can point to trapped moisture or structural damage. Often, this has been worsened by frequent freezing and thawing back-to-back.
Repeated ice buildup around drainage systems or gutters
When water isn’t draining properly, you can see thick ice and/or persistent ice dams near the drainage infrastructure on your roof. This increases the risk of leaks or strain on the roof, which can lead to damage, exterior or interior.
Overflowing gutters during melt cycles
In a well-functioning drainage system, melted water should exit through it without backing up. When you have water overflowing or running down walls instead of through the intended system, it suggests blockages or simply a drainage system that’s undersized for what it has to handle.
How winter exposes flat roof problems
There are a handful of reasons why winter can put stress on a flat roof — or expose issues that were previously lying undetected under the surface — but much of them come down to moisture and sun (or lack thereof).
To start, the repeated freeze-thaw cycle that we see in New Mexico during the winter puts stress on materials, particularly membrane seams, and can exasperate any existing weaknesses.
At the same time, snow and meltwater concentrates in low points of a low-slope or flat roof instead of running off like it would on a pitched roof. This increases pooling and the weightload concentrated onto parts of your roof, adding further stress and potential water damage.
Lastly, we see lower sun angles during the winter than in summer. This can keep sections of your roof shaded that would otherwise be hit directly with sunlight during other seasons — subsequently, water or snow that would melt and evaporate under direct light can then pond for longer.
When to call a professional
For some small disruptions to your roofing system in the winter, you may be able to take care of it yourself and keep a watchful eye on it to make sure problems don’t come back. However, you should usually call a professional if you see:
- Any active leak or new ceiling stain
- Ponding on part of your roof that lingers for more than 48 hours
- Cracks, blisters, or soft spots
- Overflowing gutters
- Any visible signs of damage
In the vast majority of cases when you spot one of the above, it signals something that you should A) get checked out as soon as possible, as delaying can lead to complications and damage, and B) have a professional help you with so that their expertise can correctly diagnose and fix the problem the first time around. Otherwise, the problem could linger longer and, yes, lead to the complications and damage.
Tips for keeping your flat roof safe this winter
Of course, there are preventative, proactive steps you can take too. For example:
- Clear debris from drainage systems before and after storms
- After heavy snow, strong winds, or big melts from one or both, do a visual checkup to see if anything stands out as a potential new development
- Avoid any unnecessary foot traffic on membranes as they get cold, as this can exacerbate the environmental stress on it
- Especially true for older roofs, schedule a professional inspection leading into the winter to confirm it’s in good shape and prepared for the weather changes
The bottom line is really that, just like with so many aspects of your home’s health, it pays to be proactive and pay attention. Familiarize yourself with what your roof and drainage infrastructure looks like when it’s all healthy and keep a regular eye on it from there on out — this will help you catch any suspicious developments early on that might be a symptom of something you need to address.
And of course, when in doubt, contact professionals like us at Santa Fe Stucco & Roofing for inspections and repairs that will keep your roof in good condition and give you peace of mind!