Old Man Winter decided to give Leesburg children an early Christmas present this year. According to a report from Leesburg Today, the historic town was recently covered in a thick blanket of snow, causing public schools to call off classes last December 9, 2013:

The first phase of the season’s first winter storm has covered Loudoun County with snow, with forecasters warning of ice and freezing rain to follow this overnight. Snowfall was heavier to the west, with more than three inches of snow in Leesburg and more than four inches in Round Hill by 1 p.m.

Crews are working to plow side streets and to keep the main roads clear of snow and ice as temperatures remain in the 20s.

The winter storm is a hit to area retailers hoping for a big weekend following the late start to the holiday shopping season after Thanksgiving. Many shoppers were forced to stay at home today and there are only two more weekends before Christmas.

Children may love snowy days, yet your roofing system likely won’t have such a merry time. Winter weather can be especially cruel on roofing in Leesburg, and anything less than a well-maintained roof opens the door for water damage to wreck your home. With that in mind, be sure to properly inspect your entire roofing system for any signs of the following:

Sagging Attic Ceiling

Roofing inspections do not always have to start on the roof itself. Grab a flashlight and check your attic ceiling for any signs of sagging. A sagging attic ceiling typically signifies a weakened roof foundation. Meanwhile, heavy snow accumulation on the roof can easily cause the entire roof to cave in and must be dealt with right away.

Damaged Shingles

Needless to say, cracked shingles must be sealed immediately. Allowing a crack to stay open during winter can lead to gaping holes due to the snow repeatedly thawing and freezing. In addition, damaged shingles speed up the development of ice dams that redirect melted snow into your home.

If you notice these problems, you can call a Leesburg, VA roofing company like Northern Virginia Roofing and Exteriors. While you might be tempted to carry out repairs, roof repair in the winter as a DIY project is not advisable since ice and snow can easily cause you to slip and fall off the roof. As such, roof repairs during winter are best left to the professionals.