Hollywood, MD— Because of the large amount of weight added by the accumulation of snow and ice on the roofs of homes, it is very common to see roof damage during the winter months. There are several things to watch out for, and a number of ways to prevent them from happening.
Types of Winter Roof Damage
When snow and ice on the roof are exposed to heat coming from inside the house, the melting water can get trapped and create an “ice dam” in the gutters and downspouts and on the roof itself. This forces water into the path of least resistance, which is generally under the roof or through flashings, neither of which were designed to handle this kind of moisture. Ice in gutters and downspouts can lead to damage to the gutters themselves, and is virtually impossible to remove. It’s important to clean your gutters regularly, especially in the winter, to keep them from becoming clogged with ice in the first place.
Flat roofs are generally equipped with drains that allow water to flow down. When these drains freeze, water becomes trapped on the roof. If this trapped water rises to a level higher than the roof flashings, this can result in water leaks and damage. Skylights can become damaged when covered with ice and snow as well; skylights have “weep holes” through which internal condensation can escape, and when these holes are covered by snow or ice, internal moisture builds up inside the skylight and can leak, causing water damage.
Tree limbs around and above the roof can become weighed down by snow and break off, falling onto the roof. It is also common for leaves from trees around the roof to fall on the roof and clog the gutters. If the water can’t flow through the gutters, it is in danger of freezing. Leaves caught on the roof for a long period of time can also contribute to mold and the growth of fungi on the shingles. It is important to trim such branches back in winter to avoid the dangers they pose to your roof.
What You Can Do to Prevent It
Taking time to inspect your roof can go a long way towards preventing winter damage. If you can, get a ladder and carefully walk along your roof looking for any missing or damaged shingles. Keep an eye out for cupping (a curving up of the edges). Clear off any broken limbs that might be putting weight on the roof, and keep an eye out for the build-up of leaves or clogging gutters.
Cleaning your gutters regularly is one of the most important things you can do to avoid a huge hardship. Before the season’s first snow, clean all leaves, twigs, and debris from your gutters in order to escape possible clogs. You may have to do this several times if you have a lot of trees. Also, while inspecting your roof, it’s important not to forget to inspect the indoors. Go into your attic and look for water stains on the ceiling. If you find any, address them immediately. Finally, if you find any missing shingles, replace them immediately while the weather is still dry. Water that finds its way on your roof will get into those cracks and expand when it freezes, causing even more damage.
If All Else Fails, How to Fix the Damage
If you have taken all the proper preventative measures and you still get winter damage to your roof or water frozen in your gutters, it’s time to consult a professional. Roof repair is serious business, and roofing contractors will save you the time, money, further damage, and risk of bodily injury that you would end up undertaking if you attempted to make the roof repairs yourself. Professional roofers have years of experience repairing winter roof damage and ice dam removal, and are worth the cost of repair.
For example, people often attempt to remove built up snow from their own roofs using a standard snow shovel. Aside from the obvious safety risks involved in doing this, it is invariably going to damage your shingles. Removing ice from your gutters without the proper equipment is almost impossible without completely destroying the gutter system. Replacing shingles is a complicated and dangerous job, and if you have no idea how roofing works, you run the risk of exacerbating the damage.
When it comes to roofs in the wintertime, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Just remember to keep your gutters clear, and if you need to make repairs, have a professional address them immediately.
