Homeowners are responsible for caring for their roofs and educating themselves on some of the things that could cause damage to their roofs, one of which is powerful elements like winter elements. Winter is one of the harshest seasons on a roof, and snow and ice can affect it negatively.
Common Impacts of Snow And Ice On A Roof
Winter elements can leave your roof extremely vulnerable. As a homeowner, you must know how to protect your roof from such elements. Here are some of the damages snow and ice have on your roof.
Freeze And Thaw
As snow and ice accumulate on your roof, the cracks in your shingles will become more obvious. Eleven the littlest cracks can cause your roof to be prone to water infiltration. Leaks are usually caused by water penetration into your shingles and underlayment.
Ice Dams
An accumulation of ice on your roof can cause ice dams to form. Ice damming is the combination of ice and snow melting and flowing down the surface of your roof and then re-freezes.
Stress
Your roof also experiences stress the same way humans do. Your roof bears the heavy weight of snow and ice during winter, and this causes stress to the roof. The roof can cave in due to the accumulation of snowfall.
Gutter Damage
Gutters blocked with debris can cause icicles to form when air temperatures are below freezing. Icicles can be very weighty and may cause severe damage to your gutters and the roof.
Structure Collapse
This hardly happens, but there have been instances where heavy snowfall overburdens structural components and can collapse a building if not attended to as soon as possible. You should also know that improper snow removal methods can also cause potential damage to the roof itself.
Leakage
Leaks do not only happen during rainy summer months; snow is a leading cause of roof leaks. Asides from the stress that snow can place on your roof, snow can also slip underneath your shingles and into small cracks in your roof.
Preventive Measures
Preventive maintenance like regular roof inspections, cleaning of gutters, and snow removal contribute to the longevity of your roof. Regular maintenance for your roof and gutter will go a long way in preventing roofing problems during winter.