Snow and ice can cause costly damage to your roof. The freezing and thawing cycle can cause extensive damage to even a brand-new roof. Add to that the stress and weight of accumulated snow on your roof, and your roof is sure to take a beating this winter.
Knowing how to properly maintain your roof during the winter is crucial to extending the life of your roof and saving you costly repairs in the long run. It is best to prepare for winter during the fall to make sure your roof is ready for snow and ice impact.
Start by cleaning out your gutters. This gives melting snow an easy exit path to prevent ice dams from forming. Then, inspect the roof for any damaged shingles or leaking points that need repair. Once it starts snowing, make sure to monitor the snow accumulation on your roof and remove snow from the edges as needed.
Potential Roofing Issues:
Even after taking preventative measures, it is still possible that heavy snowfall or snowstorms can cause damage to your roof. Here are a few potential damages that snow and ice may cause.
Ice dams: Ice dams are buildups of ice on the edges of your roof that can block melting snow from running off the edge of the roof. The remaining pool of water on your roof can result in expensive water damage. Your entire roofing system and gutters can become compromised.
Gutter damage: When snow and ice start to slide off your roof, they can accumulate in your gutters. The excess weight this causes can cause damage to your gutters and the sides of your roof.
Icicles: Icicles can form on the edges of your roof and gutters and cause damage due to the extra weight. They can also pose a threat to those walking under them if they were to break off. Cleaning out your gutters before snowfall can help prevent the formation of icicles.
Leakage: The extra weight of snow and ice on your roof combined with its freeze and thaw cycles can damage the integrity of your roof, making leaks more likely. Snow can also seep into the base of the roof and cause water damage.
Collapsed roof: Periods of heavy snowfall combined with an aging roof can lead to a collapse of the structure. Since snowfall remains on the roof for long periods of time and can be quite heavy, the surface becomes wetter and heavier. This causes more damage than rain.