Winter in the Midwest. From driving over roads covered with ice and slush to shoveling snow day after day, it can put a lot of stress on homeowners. But it also puts a lot of stress on your roof.
In this blog, you’ll learn about three of the main issues that homeowners need to be aware of regarding how snow and ice impact your roof.
Added Stress.
Did you ever wonder why almost every residential roof today is pitched, rather than flat? While it has become the norm, pitched roofs serve a very functional purpose by helping snow slide off and preventing other material from collecting on top of it. This is important because snow is surprisingly heavy when it begins to collect. While this added weight is likely not going to cause your roof to collapse, it may be adding stress that is not good for its long-term health. Icicles also contribute added weight to this problem.
Ice Dams.
Ice dams start small but can become a big problem. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge your roof and prevents snow from melting and therefore from working its way off the roof like it’s supposed to. Ice dams are enabled by a complex interaction of the colder air temperatures outside and the warmer air escaping your house through the roof. If allowed to form, they can cause damage to your roof and eventually result in leaks that can cause extensive damage.
Potential Leaks.
As a result of ice dams and melted snow working its way under your roof’s shingles, leaks can happen. If they do, they can cause extensive damage to your walls, insulation, and more. If it’s a winter with a particularly high amount of snow and if your roof is particularly old, there is a higher risk of leaks occurring. Your gutters are also a common cause of leaks if they are not regularly maintained. Skylights are another area where leaks commonly occur when there is a build up of snow.
If you see evidence of roof damage or any leaks inside your home, it’s important to have your roof assessed as soon as possible. When a home has been built to code, there is little risk of a total roof collapse, but it may be in need of urgent repair or replacement. If you are concerned about how years of snow and ice may have impacted your roof, contact the experts at Royalty Roofing for a free inspection and estimate.
