How Snow and Ice Impact Your Roof
Heavy snow is a real problem for households in Connecticut. It puts strain on your roof and the added weight makes it difficult to safely get onto your roof to clear it off.
In this guide, we cover how snow and ice can damage your roof and use top tips from roofers in Waterbury CT to help you deal with this seasonal problem.
Roofing in Connecticut: Snow Load Guidance
The general snow load guidance for roofing in Connecticut is that a roof must be able to hold 30lbs per square foot. This is considered part of the live load, which means that you need to calculate the weight of the snow in addition to the weight of roofing contractors in CT or anyone who might be conducting repairs.
This extra pressure means that you shouldn’t attempt to clear snow from your roof unless you have proper safety equipment such as a secure harness. Instead, contact a professional company offering roofing in Waterbury CT to deal with heavy snow build-up.
It’s a good idea to have your home inspected by roofing companies in CT before winter sets in, especially if your roof is getting old. This means you’ll have an up-to-date idea of how much weight it can hold and what repairs need to be performed if it’s below state guidance for snow loads.
How Ice Dams Form
Ice dams form around your gutters as snow melts and re-freezes. Water trickles down the shingles and freezes at the bottom, especially if the gutters are overflowing. This builds a wall that prevents more water from escaping.
Ice build-up can crack or damage your shingles and contribute to an increased load as water and snow can’t escape from the roof. If you’ve noticed ice dams accumulating, you should contact roofing contractors in CT to treat the issue.
How Freezing Weather Causes Roof Leaks
If water gets underneath broken or missing shingles and then freezes, it can cause huge damage to your roof. Ice can tear the underlayment or prise other shingles loose, exposing the underlayment to damage from hail or falling debris.
Once the underlayment is torn, you’ll soon find leaks developing in your attic. These can cause structural damage to your home and encourage mold growth in the drywall.
Inspect your attic for leaks regularly in winter. If you notice leaks, it’s time to call roofers in Waterbury CT to remedy the issue.
Snow and Ice Gutter Damage
If your gutters are blocked, water will be trapped inside. When it freezes, it expands and can crack the gutter open. This can lead to costly replacements and expenses that could’ve been avoided.
Keeping your gutters clean is the best way to prevent this from happening. Your local roofing in Waterbury CT provider can show you how to keep your gutters clean, preventing cracks and ice dams from building up at the top.
Roofing in Connecticut: Final Thoughts
Snow and ice make it risky to perform DIY maintenance on your roof. The best course of action is to contact roofing contractors in CT to deal with snow and ice-related issues.
