Snow is one of the best perks of winter, but it can also become a hazard. When we imagine a damaged roof, we often picture hail damage, wind, or fire, but did you know that snow and ice can damage your roof as well? Wintry precipitation is known for bringing down trees and making roads treacherous, but damaging roofs can be added to the list of adverse consequences of an otherwise enjoyable perk of winter. To help you prepare your roof to outlast the rigors of winter weather, we walk through the basics of snow and ice damage here.
The compounded weight of snow can induce damage on a roof. Roofs are created to bear a certain amount of weight, and past this limit, the chances for damage drastically increase. This situation is especially dangerous with older or poorly maintained roofs, but surpassing the weight limit on any roof is unsafe. Regular roof inspections are important to circumvent the damage of heavy snow on a roof.
As snow melts, a second danger is presented: runoff water can becomed trapped beneath debris or ice, causing the water to pool up on the roof. This sitting water searches for alternate locations to drain from, or simply degrades the roofing material below it, making the chance of a roof leak much more likely. Pooling water around gutters, vents, or weak spots on a roof can leak into vulnerable areas and ruin underlying insulation and building materials.
Call us today at 214-373-1500 to learn more about weather-proofing your roof!