How Wind, Sun & Snow in Tri-Cities Affect Your Roof Over Time

Living in the Tri-Cities area means enjoying all four seasons — but your roof doesn’t always enjoy them as much as you do. With long, dry summers, windy spring days, and occasional snow and ice in the winter, roofs in Eastern Washington take a beating year-round. At BN Covered Exteriors, we’ve seen firsthand how the local climate can wear down even the toughest roofs.

If you’re a homeowner in the Richland, Pasco, Kennewick, or the surrounding areas, here’s how our unique weather patterns can impact your roof — and what you can do about it.

🌬️ Wind:

While we may not get tornadoes or hurricanes, Tri-Cities wind can still do serious damage over time — especially in exposed areas like Richland, Pasco, and Kennewick.

• Shingle lift and blow-off: High winds can lift shingles, breaking the seal and making your roof vulnerable to leaks.

• Loose flashing and components: Wind can loosen flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights.

• Debris damage: Flying branches and debris can crack or puncture roofing materials.

💡 Pro Tip: After a windstorm, do a quick visual check. If you suspect damage, call us for a free roof inspection. Catching small issues early can prevent major repairs later.

☀️ Sun:

It’s no secret — the Tri-Cities gets more sunshine than Seattle could ever dream of. While that’s great for backyard barbecues, prolonged UV exposure can slowly break down your roofing materials, especially if they’re older or lower quality.

• Shingle fading and drying: UV rays can cause shingles to become brittle and lose their protective granules.

• Thermal expansion: Repeated heating and cooling causes roofing materials to expand and contract, leading to cracking over time.

🔥 Did You Know? CertainTeed shingles offer advanced UV protection and heat-resistant technology, making them an ideal choice for sunny climates like ours.

❄️ Snow & Ice:

While we don’t get months of heavy snow like some parts of the PNW, even a few inches of snow or an icy week can challenge your roof.

• Ice dams: When melting snow refreezes at the edge of the roof, it can block proper drainage and cause water to back up under shingles.

• Weight load: Wet, heavy snow can add extra pressure to your roofing structure.

• Freeze-thaw cycles: Repeated melting and freezing leads to expansion in small cracks, making them worse over time.

⛄ BN Covered Tip: Good attic ventilation and insulation go a long way toward preventing ice dams — we can help you assess if yours is doing the job.

How to Protect Your Roof Year-Round

The best defense is always a strong, professionally installed roof. Here’s what we recommend:

✅ Choose high-quality materials like CertainTeed shingles designed for weather resistance

✅ Schedule seasonal inspections — especially after storms or temperature extremes

✅ Repair damage promptly to prevent bigger issues

✅ Consider upgrades like ridge vents, better insulation, or impact-resistant shingles

Need a Roof That Can Handle Tri-Cities Weather?

At BN Covered Exteriors, we specialize in roofing built for the climate right here in Eastern Washington. Whether you need a small repair, a full replacement, or just peace of mind with an inspection, we’ve got you covered.

📍 Locally owned & trusted

 🛠️ Certified CertainTeed installers

 💸 Financing available

👉 Contact us today for a free estimate, and let’s make sure your roof is ready for whatever Mother Nature throws at it.