When the weather turns truant, snow and ice occur almost every other day. Besides all the shovelling to clear paths to walk, snow and ice also accumulate on the roofs where they can cause considerable damage. But if you think how snow and ice could cause damage to the roof, let us take you through a detailed analysis.
Weight of snow and ice: When heavy snow accumulates and ice dams are formed on the roof, the weight of the duo can be dangerous for the roof in the long run. The weight of ice is greater than snow; while the weight of packed snow is double that of fresh snow. This weight can cause leaks and cracks in the roof. Furthermore, moisture from snow and ice can be harmful to your house from the inside.
Melting troubles: When ice and snow start melting, ice dams could be formed as the melted ice flows down the roof and freezes at the edge. These ice dams can negatively impact the gutters.
Freeze and thaw cycle: The build-up of snow and ice can lead to cracks on the roof. Further when water flows through even the smallest of cracks, the roof becomes vulnerable. It can leak into your house or worse still, if the leakage freezes, the cracks can expand and become larger causing shingles to move and possibly even lead to more leaks.
Bowing and ponding of flat roofs: Flat roofs are particularly vulnerable to damage by snow as there is no outlet for runoff of rain or snow. Hence, when snow or ice melt, water accumulates on the roof causing damage such as bowing and ponding.
At the first sign of any damage to the roof, it is warranted that you call a structural engineer for assessment of damage. Delaying this can cause bigger roof issues which may cost you more.
We must also forewarn you that removing snow and ice from the roof is not a DIY job as the shovel shall not suffice. Contact professionals to get a thorough job done.
Reach out to All Stars Roofing for your roofing queries!