You probably don’t think about the roof over your head very often. But the roofing has to endure all types of severe weather, from summer hailstorms to winter blizzards. Any damage can compromise the roof causing damage to the interior of your home.
Weight of the Snow
A blizzard usually means heavy snow. The type of snow can determine the weight of the snow. The wetter the snow, the heavier it is, measured as a water ratio. Normal snow has a ratio of 10:1, which means every 10 inches of snow equals one inch of rain.
Just a foot of normal snow can weigh 9,360 pounds on your roof or 6.2 pounds per square foot. And a foot of wet snow can weigh over 18,000 pounds. This weight puts a lot of stress on your roof. This is a bigger problem for flat roofs than for gabled roofs because snow won’t slide off as easily until it melts.
Ice Dams
Melting snow can cause ice dams to form at the edge of the roof and prevent water from draining properly. Ice dams form when the snow underneath begins to melt because of the heat escaping from the interior of the home. The melted snow then forms an ice dam at the edge of the roof, damming the water.
If there are any small cracks in the roofing, the water can leak into the attic of the home and down the interior walls. Water leaks can soak insulation, ruining its insulation value, and can also cause water stains on ceilings. If it continues, mold can form.
Wind Damage
Along with the heavy snow, blizzards also bring high winds. If the winds develop before the snow, it can damage the shingles. High winds can tear shingles from the roof and crease other shingles. Creases in the shingles cause the shingles to lose their waterproof abilities.
High winds and the weight of the snow can cause tree limbs to fall on the roof. Not only do broken tree limbs add to the weight on the roof from the heavy snow, but can also damage the roof and the roof flashing.
Thawing and Refreezing
After a blizzard, the thawing and refreezing cycle can cause problems. Just like in streets, driveways and sidewalks, this cycle can cause small cracks to appear. As the water gets into the smallest crack in the roofing during melting, the refreezing will cause cracks to become larger. Eventually, this will lead to water leaking into the interior of your home.
Blizzards cause several problems for your roof, during and after the storm. You should have your roof inspected each spring for any type of damage from winter storms. If you suspect an issue with your roof, talk to a roofing professional, like Brandon J Roofing, before winter storms hit.
