We've just had a good snowstorm here on the east coast! We will share a few ways of how snow and ice impact your roof.
Freeze/thaw
As snow melts, it gets into small cracks in your roof or even into your gutters. When the temperatures drop and get to be freezing, the water freezes, and then the cracks expand. This cycle repeats as more water enters and freezes - then the cracks expand. If you've seen a leak after ice and snow have been on your roof, then this could be a reason why.
Snow and Ice Buildup
The winter storm we just had started with light fluffy snow but then turned into sleet that sat on top of the snow. If you've taken some time to shovel, you'll find that it's easy now. This can cause some weight to build upon your roof especially if you have a flatter roof. If you're worried about damage to your roof because of heavy snowfall, get a professional inspection that will also check inside your attic to see the condition of your roof.
Ice Dams
What is an ice dam? According to the University of Minnesota Extension, an ice dam is, "an ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof. The water that backs up behind the dam can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas."
Damage During Snow and Ice Removal
If you try to remove snow yourself, be careful as it could be easy to puncture your shingles or even the roof's waterproof membrane which would be caused by an extra hard scrape to remove the buildup. You'll want to make sure that you take extra care of your roof around the winter season. Here are some good winter maintenance tips. If you have any doubts, call a roofing professional today!
Let Cenvar Roofing handle your roofing needs
Call us today or submit an estimate request to have us come out and assess if your roof has any damage or even to give you an inspection. Check out our other roofing blog posts to learn more about the winter season and roofing!
