Three Ways That Snow and Ice Can Damage Your Roof
Ice doesn’t just cause problems on the roads and sidewalks—it can damage your roof, too! While ice may seem harmless on its own, it can wreak havoc on your roof if you don’t know how to prevent ice damming or if you don’t know what to do if you find yourself in an ice dam situation. Here are three ways that ice can damage your roof, and how to deal with them.
Ice Damming
The first thing to know about ice dams is that you don’t have to have icicles or frozen water running down your roof for them to cause damage. In fact, if left unchecked, ice damming can lead to leaks and even flooding. As snow builds up over time on a steeply pitched roof, it freezes at lower temperatures than other areas on a home’s exterior; then, when it thaws in warmer weather and begins melting toward a shaded area of a house—like underneath gutters—it melts away from those portions of icy buildup.
This leaves an extremely thin layer of ice behind, which continues to grow in these nooks and crannies until it finally breaks off as large chunks or sheets of frozen precipitation. When these massive pieces drop onto your home below, they hit with enough force to crack shingles and loosen nails before dripping into any openings they can find, such as behind insulation or in through exposed ductwork.
Weight from Snow on Your Roof
Snow that collects on your roof can weigh down shingles, causing them to slide off. If you shovel snow regularly, however, it’s less likely to accumulate on your roof in high quantities—keeping you safe from collapsing shingles. If your roof is on the flatter end, you want to ensure too much snow isn't accumulating on your roof. While we don't get a ton of snow in Louisville, it's an important thing to keep in mind as we get bigger snowstorms from time to time.
What to Do if Your Roof Is Damaged by Ice
If you see damage to your roof after a big ice storm, you’ll want to get up there and survey it. If you notice any of these telltale signs of damage (e.g., water seeping through shingles or cracks in tiles), call an expert to get an estimate on what it will take to fix them before they cause further damage, and if need be, file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible.
Wrapping Up
Don't fear, though. New Look Roof is here to save the day. We even work with your insurance company if you need us to.
New Look Roof specializes in roofing, siding, windows, gutters, and repairs. We serve the greater Louisville area and pride ourselves on being industry-leading in materials, education, training, and craftsmanship. We invite all potential clients to fill out a form online or call us directly at 502.341.4415!