Buffalo receives an average of 95 inches of snow annually, most of it driven by lake-effect bands off Lake Erie. When snow accumulates on roofs and then melts during brief warm spells, meltwater finds every gap in your roofline. Older homes in neighborhoods like Kaisertown and Lovejoy often lack adequate attic ventilation or ice-and-water shield underlayment. Water seeps under shingles, saturates roof decking, and drips into insulation. By the time you see a ceiling stain, the attic framing may already be compromised. Thermal imaging reveals these hidden leaks before they rot your rafters or collapse insulation into living spaces.
Buffalo's building codes have evolved significantly over the past century, but much of the housing stock predates modern moisture management standards. If your home was built before 1980, it likely lacks continuous vapor barriers, properly flashed plumbing penetrations, or code-compliant foundation waterproofing. Local contractors who specialize in water damage restoration understand these construction nuances. We know where moisture is most likely to hide based on the decade your home was built and the original construction methods used. This local knowledge allows us to detect problems faster and more accurately than out-of-town restoration companies unfamiliar with Buffalo's architectural history.
