Winter weather can have a profound impact on the soundness of your roof and can compromise your roof’s ability to prevent water from coming into your home. When water gets into your home, it can lead to mold, mildew and other damage. These are just a few of the ways winter weather has the potential to damage your roof.
Even though the Pacific Northwest doesn’t typically get much severe winter weather, there’s still always a chance that snow and ice could make its way to your roof this year. You should prepare your home and be aware of how wintery weather could potentially affect your roof.
ICE DAMS
During the day, the snow on your roof begins to melt and drain off the edge. In some cases, a ridge of ice forms along the edge of the roof that prevents the melting water, snow, and ice from draining properly.
When that occurs, the water backs up behind the dam and leaks into your home. This causes damage to your walls, ceilings, insulation and more inside your home – not to mention potentially costly repairs to your roof.
WEIGHT OF ICE AND SNOW
Depending on where you live, one winter storm system can dump a lot of snow on your roof. No roof is immune from the massive weight of snow. The weight of one inch of ice is equal to 10 – 12 inches of fresh snow on your roof. Also, if your home has taller sections or gables, you will find that the snow and ice accumulated more readily in the lower areas.
DAMAGE TO GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS
When ice freezes in gutters and downspouts – especially when they haven’t been properly cleared of leaves and debris – it can cause them to break and detach from your home. This can cause damage to the wood along your roof line where water from rain or melting ice and snow can enter your home causing damage.
Make sure your home isn’t vulnerable to damage from winter weather this year. Contact us today to schedule your consultation before the worst winter weather sets in.