Hello World! Welcome Friends! If you live in the part of the world with all four seasons, you know the challenges of maintaining your home in the tight grip of winter. During winter, snow and ice can build upon and under roofs and can create serious damage.
Repairing a roof is expensive on its own. But, when roofs leak during the winter and spring rains, interior walls, floors, and personal property can also be damaged. Walls and floors can be repaired, but personal property, like photographs and other treasures, can be damaged permanently.
Instead of looking for a useful post about making repairs after the damage has occurred, why not take proactive steps to protect your roof from snow and ice before winter strikes?
Install a metal roof
One of the biggest problems with roofs is that snow and ice build up under shingles. Metal roofs do not have shingles, so that problem is already solved. Metal roofs are designed to withstand the elements of all four seasons. Along with protecting everything in your home, they can also actually help you save money on heating and cooling bills. Darker colored roofs will help heat a home in the winter, while lighter color roofs will help cool a home in the heat of the summer.
There are several benefits to installing a metal roof, especially in parts of the world that have all four seasons. They include:
- Rot and mildew resistance
- 30-year warranty
- Lightweight construction
- Easy to install
- Energy efficient
- Fireproof
There are also add-ons that can be installed on metal roofs during snowy winters. Snow guards prevent massive amounts of snow (think avalanche) from falling off of your roof at any given time.
Metal roofs are an investment in your home, but the up-front cost can significantly reduce the repetitive costs of repairing shingles and tiles.
Install insulation in your attic
There are two big problems with snow and ice. Roofs can usually withstand the weight of snow unless the roof is in dire need of repair. The problems happen when snow begins to melt and ice accumulates on the edges of the roof. When homes do not have sufficient insulation in the attic, the heat from the home gets into the roof and snow begins to melt. The water runs down the roof and ice forms like stalactites over the sides of the home. Water gets under the shingles and leaks begin to happen inside the home.
If you have large icicles building up around your home, you most likely do not have a roof problem – yet. You most likely have an insulation problem. This is easily remedied by adding insulation to your attic. This will keep the heat in your home rather than letting it escape up above. Adding insulation is much less expensive than buying a new roof and paying for costly repairs both inside and outside of your home.
Empty your gutters
Many of the steps you take to protect your roof from snow and ice take place in the three warmer seasons. If you have gutters installed, taking care of them can save your roof and your pocketbook. Gutters are notorious for filling up with sticks, leaves, and other debris that slow or even prevent water from exiting them.
Before the snow begins to fall, it is wise to schedule a time to empty your gutters. If climbing up on a ladder does not sound like something you want to do, you can hire someone to do the job. Or, you can hire a company to install gutter guards that keep leaves and sticks from landing in your gutters. Don’t forget to clean out the downspouts as debris builds up near the exit point and at any spots where the downspouts turn.
Install heat tape
Since problems from snow and ice come from a thaw and freeze cycle, you can stop the cycle by installing heat tape on your roof and in your gutters. Heat tape is installed in a zig-zag pattern near the edge of the roof. During the winter, the tape is electrified and when it is turned on it consistently melts snow so it cannot build up at the edge of the roof. Instead, it melts off into the gutters. If you live in a particularly cold area, you might want to add it to your gutters to keep the water flowing.
Heat tape can be a fire hazard and it can also create electrical problems if not properly installed. Experts recommend checking it annually to look for frays in the tape that could create dangerous situations.
Trim trees before winter hits
Trimming trees might not sound like a chore that will protect your roof, but it will. If you have any large trees that can drop branches, leaves, or needles on your roof, then trimming in the fall will be helpful. The most obvious reason to trim your trees is to make it easier to keep your gutters clean. The not-so-obvious reason is to keep excessive moisture off of your roof.
Pine needles and leaves on your roof can create moisture problems because they absorb precipitation. If needles and leaves are then covered by snow, that moisture builds up and can add to ice dams. They can create problems during the melting season by blocking water from leaving your roof.
Leaves and pine needles can also speed up rot from mildew. Pine needles are small enough to get between and under your shingles, which can cause unwanted moisture to build up in places where moisture shouldn’t be. You might be inclined to use a roof rake to remove leaves and needles, but be aware that roof rakes can actually damage your roof, too.
Keeping your roof in good shape during the stronghold of winter takes preparation in the spring, summer, and fall. With a little bit of preventative maintenance, you can keep your roof and the rest of your home in good condition for a long time.
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