Your roof never gets a vacation. It’s working hard in the summer to keep your home cooler and comfortable. In spring and autumn, it battles with rain and wind. Winter means your roof is fighting against snow and cold to keep you and your family warm and comfortable.
Your roof works year-round, but winter may be the most demanding work of all. Roofs face some winter-specific challenges that many homeowners aren’t aware of. As we enter the heart of Utah’s winter season, let’s look at some common misconceptions about winter roofing.
“My roof is strong and well-built. I don’t need to worry about snow build-up.”
Roofs are made to support their own weight and an occasional light load from workers or small debris. They aren’t made to support the weight of several heavy vehicles, but winter snow build-up can easily weigh that much.
Three inches of snow on an average-sized roof (about 2000 square feet) can weigh 6000 pounds. That’s two midsize cars. If the snow is wet, it is even heavier. Those three inches of snow could weigh nearly 10,000 pounds if wet. Imagine the strain that puts on your roof, then quadruple that amount for a foot of snow. That’s about a dozen cars parked on your roof.
When you look at it that way, it’s easy to see how snow could damage your roof’s support structure or even lead to a catastrophic collapse. You wouldn’t park a fleet of vehicles on your roof. Don’t leave the equivalent weight of snow up there, either.
Roofing in Utah sees a lot of snow. Without regular removal, the weight of all that white stuff can be more than your roof can manage.
Bottom Line: It doesn’t matter how well-built your roof is or how high-quality the materials are. Snow build-up is a significant problem. The best way to address the issue on your own is to use a roof rake specifically designed to remove snow without harming your roof materials.
Be aware that this is hard work in the cold and can be dangerous if you cause a mini-avalanche that lets loose on top of you. It may also involve climbing a ladder repeatedly in icy conditions. When in doubt, hire a professional. Your back and your roof will thank you.
“Ice dams are no big deal. They will melt eventually.”
Ice dams form when roof snow melts and then refreezes. It’s often the result of poor ventilation or insufficient insulation. However, just about any roof can form ice dams in the right conditions. Snow melts, often helped by a rooftop warmer than it should be, due to inadequate insulation that allows indoor heat to radiate through the roof. The resulting water runs under the rest of the snow and down to the eaves, where it freezes. That’s an ice dam.
We talked about how heavy snow can be, but it has nothing on its solid cousin, ice. One cubic foot of ice weighs about 57 pounds. That’s more than five times the weight of heavy, wet snow. The first issue with ice dams is their weight and strain on your roof. But the problem doesn’t stop there.
Because this heavy mass hangs from the eaves and gutters, it can cause your gutters to tear away from your home. Imagine a full-sized adult grabbing onto the edge of your gutters and hanging. That likely won’t end well for the thin metal. The same is true when you replace that hanging human with dangling ice.
Ice dams are also dangerous. They can release at any time. If someone is walking or standing beneath them when that happens, a massive block of ice and snow will hit them. At best, that’s a cold, uncomfortable experience. At worst, it’s dangerous or even life-threatening.
Bottom [Roof] Line: Ice dams are serious business. Call a roofing contractor if you find they form frequently on your roof. They can inspect your roof and home to determine the source of the problem and help you find solutions.
“Yes, my roof needs work. But roofers don’t work in winter, so I’ll have to wait until spring.”
Since your roof doesn’t get the winter season off, residential roofing contractors don’t, either. We can inspect, repair, and even replace roofs during the winter. We wear our warm coats, evaluate whether additional safety gear is required, and get to work.
The right time to tackle your roof problems is as soon as you notice them and before they become more significant, more expensive issues. If you discover a roof problem in winter, address it then, before it grows. Waiting until spring could mean more significant leaks, damage to your home, and a much more extensive and expensive repair.
Bottom Line: Roofers can work year-round. We may even be able to get to your project more quickly since many people wait for warmer weather to call us. Don’t let the season cause a delay in getting your roof repaired or replaced.
“My roof isn’t in great shape. But it won’t leak in winter since the water is frozen.”
Some homeowners mistakenly think snow decreases the chances of leaks compared to rain. Nope. Snow can easily blow into cracks and gaps. And it eventually melts, sometimes even if the temperatures are below freezing. The sun can cause your snow build-up to quickly turn into water. All that water will find its way into openings in your damaged roof.
Additionally, ice can form in small cracks, causing them to open up. Ice can also damage shingles, eaves, and gutters. Where rainwater might just run off, ice sticks around. It can pull off shingles, damage flashing, and permit dampness to seep into your home.
Bottom Line: Ice can be just as harmful–or even worse–to your roof than rain. Don’t let the cold weather, snow, and ice lull you into a false sense of security.
Don’t Fall For It
Misconceptions about winter roofing can discourage homeowners from addressing roof problems promptly. If you fail to address issues during the colder months, your roof may not make it to spring.
You may also face some nasty surprises once the weather starts warming, including additional damage, increased expenses, and longer wait times for roof services. By addressing roof concerns whenever they arise–whether during the dog days of summer or the heart of skiing season–you’ll protect your roof, home, and bank account.