Colorado’s Front Range is notorious for rapid temperature swings—sunny afternoons in the 50s followed by sub-freezing nights. Those repeated freeze-thaw cycles are tough on residential roofs. Whether you have asphalt shingles on a steep-slope home or a low-slope porch or addition with a membrane, understanding how freeze-thaw stresses materials can help you plan smart maintenance and avoid leaks.
Below, the HAAG-certified pros at AC INC. Roofing explain what happens during freeze-thaw, how it affects shingles, membranes, and sealants, and the steps you can take to protect your home.
What “freeze-thaw” does to roofing materials
- Water expands about 9% when it freezes. Moisture that has entered tiny surface pores or seams expands as ice, prying materials apart and creating micro-cracks.
- Daily thermal cycling accelerates fatigue. Materials contract at night and expand in daytime sun, stressing fasteners, seams, and bonds.
- UV at altitude worsens embrittlement. Denver’s elevation amplifies UV exposure, which ages asphalt binders and sealants, making them less flexible before freeze-thaw even begins.
Asphalt shingles: common freeze-thaw issues
Asphalt shingles remain Colorado’s most common residential roofing. Here’s how freeze-thaw can affect them:
- Granule loss: Ice movement and thermal cycling dislodge protective ceramic granules. You may see excess granules in gutters after snowmelt.
- Surface fissures and cracks: Repeated expansion/contraction can open hairline cracks, especially on older or sun-baked shingles and ridge caps.
- Brittle tabs and edge curl: Aged binders plus freeze-thaw can lead to curled edges or brittle tabs that lift in wind.
- Seal-strip bond concerns: Many shingles use heat-activated seal strips. In cold weather, they may not self-seal quickly; lifted tabs can admit wind-driven snow that later melts and refreezes.
- Nail movement and fastener stress: Decking and shingles expand/contract at different rates, sometimes telegraphing fasteners or loosening hold.
How AC INC. Roofing helps:
- Free roof inspections by HAAG-certified inspectors to spot early signs like granule shedding, lifted tabs, ridge cap cracking, or exposed fasteners.
- Targeted repairs to secure loose shingles, replace damaged courses, and hand-seal tabs when appropriate for cold-season performance.
- Roof rejuvenation options for aging shingles where appropriate, to improve pliability and water-shedding.
- Impact-resistant shingle upgrades using premium systems (including Atlas shingle systems) for enhanced durability in Colorado’s hail and freeze-thaw climate.
Low-slope residential membranes (TPO, EPDM, Modified Bitumen)
Many Front Range homes include low-slope areas—porches, garages, and additions—where single-ply or bituminous membranes are used. Freeze-thaw can show up as:
- Seam stress and openings: Adhesive or heat-welded seams flex with daily temperature swings; trapped moisture can expand as ice, stressing laps.
- Flashing fatigue: Pipe boots, skylight curbs, and wall transitions see concentrated movement, leading to cracks or splits.
- Fastener back-out: On mechanically fastened systems, thermal cycling can encourage gradual fastener loosening and membrane flutter.
- Blisters and microfractures (modified bitumen): Moisture in the sheet or substrate can form blisters that grow and crack with freeze-thaw.
- Ponding-related damage: Freeze-thaw magnifies issues where water lingers; ice can abrade the surface and open pathways during thaw.
How AC INC. Roofing helps:
- Detailed membrane inspections, including seams, terminations, and penetrations; infrared or moisture surveying recommendations when warranted.
- Repairs to seams and flashings with compatible materials, plus maintenance planning to mitigate ponding.
- Replacement options using TPO, EPDM, or Modified Bitumen when membranes are at end-of-life, along with fluid-applied coating solutions where appropriate.
Sealants and flashing: the first leak points
Sealants are not a primary waterproofing layer, but they are critical at transitions. In the Front Range, freeze-thaw and UV can cause:
- Adhesion loss: Edges pull away from metal or masonry as materials move differently.
- Cohesive cracking: The sealant itself splits as it becomes brittle.
- Boot deterioration: Rubber pipe boots stiffen and crack, especially around hose clamps.
Best practices:
- Rely on properly designed flashing first; use sealants as a supplement, not a substitute.
- Choose cold-flexible, UV-resistant sealants compatible with the substrate.
- Inspect penetrations, step flashing, counterflashing, and skylight perimeters each fall and spring.
AC INC. Roofing provides comprehensive flashing and sealant evaluations as part of our free inspection program and repairs issues before they turn into leaks.
Ice dams: why gutters, insulation, and ventilation matter
Ice dams form when heat escapes into the attic, melting snow that refreezes at the eave. That water backs up under shingles and into the home.
- Prevention tips: Clear gutters and downspouts, keep roof drains functional on low-slope areas, and ensure balanced attic ventilation. Proper insulation and air sealing reduce heat loss that drives ice dams.
- What we do: AC INC. Roofing installs gutters and evaluates roof ventilation and eave protection during inspections. We’ll note risks and recommend corrective actions.
Maintenance calendar for the Front Range
- Late fall (pre-snow): Inspect shingles, ridge caps, flashings, membranes, and sealants. Address lifted tabs and open seams; clear gutters.
- Mid-winter warm-ups: After chinooks or heavy snow, look for ice dam activity, granules in downspouts, and wind-lifted shingles.
- Early spring: Schedule a post-winter inspection to catch freeze-thaw damage before spring storms.
- After severe hail or wind: Request a storm-damage evaluation; hail fractures and wind uplift often compound freeze-thaw weaknesses.
Repair vs. replacement: making the call
- Repair is typically appropriate when damage is localized—isolated lifted tabs, minor flashing cracks, or a few seam issues.
- Replacement may be recommended for systemic problems—widespread granule loss, pervasive cracking, severe membrane shrinkage, or repeated leaks.
- Documentation matters: If a covered storm event contributed to damage, proper photos, measurements, and reporting help support insurance claims. AC INC. Roofing specializes in storm-damage evaluation and provides thorough documentation and insurance advocacy when applicable.
Why homeowners trust AC INC. Roofing
- Credentials: Colorado’s first roofing company to achieve Master HAAG Certification; Atlas Pro+ Platinum Certified contractor (up to 50-year warranties); GAF Certified contractor (System Plus warranties available); Directorii-certified (backed by up to $20,000 customer guarantee); Fortified Roofing Solutions certified (systems designed to withstand 130 mph winds, EF-2 tornadoes, and 2″ hail).
- Expertise: Residential and commercial roofing, inspections, repairs, replacements, storm damage restoration, roof rejuvenation, siding and gutter installation, and fluid-applied coatings.
- Local and reliable: Licensed and insured, based at 6145 Broadway, Suite 25, Denver, serving the Denver metro, Front Range, and Cheyenne, WY. Rated 5.0 stars on Google with excellent reviews.
- Integrity-first: We focus on accurate assessment, clear communication, and partnerships with premium manufacturers and vetted contractors.
When to call a pro
If you notice any of the following, schedule an inspection before the next freeze-thaw cycle:
- Persistent icicles or ice dams
- Shingle tabs that don’t lay flat after a warm afternoon
- Granules collecting in gutters or at downspout discharge
- Damp attic insulation, stained ceilings, or musty odors
- Membrane blisters, lifted seams, or exposed fasteners
- Cracked or separated sealant at penetrations
AC INC. Roofing offers free roof inspections by HAAG-certified inspectors and a full suite of repair and replacement options using premium materials—Asphalt and impact-resistant shingles; Metal and tile roofing; TPO, EPDM, Modified Bitumen; and fluid-applied coatings.
Ready to safeguard your home from freeze-thaw damage? Contact Us today.