Ice and snow might be beautiful to look at, but if left unattended, they can bring a lot of problems. It makes sense to protect your roof against snow and ice damage– after all; you don’t want any big roof installation problems when it’s 5 degrees outside! Ice dams are a common occurrence in the winter, and they pose a considerable concern to homeowners because they can cause long-term damage. Ice dams are also a pain in the neck that can cause serious roof damage.
Everyone knows how hard winter weather can be on your home’s exterior, particularly your roof. Understanding how snow and ice harm your roof in the first place is the most critical step in knowing how to prevent roof replacement. Luckily, there are various methods to reduce the chance of damage to the roof; continue reading to learn more.
1. Protect your roof from ice dams
Water freezes, thaws, and then refreezes across the edge of the roof during the winter, forming ice dams. When this process happens water can leak into the house and cause damage to the insulation, ceilings, and walls. You can insulate your attic before the winter arrives. You can keep your house warm and your roof colder with the help of additional insulation. The water would therefore struggle to melt and eventually find its way into the house. Also, insulate recessed lighting fixtures to avoid overheating your attic. When you find snow accumulating on your roof, use a roof rake to remove it regularly. This will keep the snow from gathering on the roofs and damaging them.
2. Prepare your roof before winter
Before the winter arrives, you should hire a roofing company contractor Richmond, to inspect your roof to see if it is in good working order. The massive amount of snow on your roof adds a lot of unnecessary weight. If there is a lot of wet, heavy snow on the roof, use a roof rake to remove some of it. If you notice gaps, broken or damaged roofing, bent gutters, and damaged caulking areas, you must have all of the necessary repairs made before the winter storms arrive.
3. Attic requires proper ventilation
It’s crucial to maintain the inside and external temperatures separate to avoid moisture accumulation. Moisture is created when hot and cold air collides. Proper ventilation keeps the temperature of the attic in sync with the outside temperature, preventing moisture from accumulating at the roof’s edges. The constant melting and freezing of snow on our roofs creates a build-up of ice and snow on the edges. To help limit temperature swings, ventilation keeps the attic temperature similar to the outdoor temperature.
4. Clear your gutters
You’ll have problems if your gutters aren’t cleaned properly and are full of dirt and granules. The dirt and granules prevent the melted ice from draining correctly, causing the water to refreeze in the gutters. The gutters and roof will most likely be damaged as a result of this ice buildup. Additionally, you should inspect downspouts to ensure that water reaches the ground level. Tree limbs should also be cut so that they don’t fall and damage your gutter or clog it.
To sum up, your winter preparations, talk to a roofing contractor company Lanham to examine around your house anything that may impact your roof or prevent water from draining away from the roof. The attic is your closest companion when it comes to safeguarding your roof and preventing further damage. Homeowners may protect themselves from ice dams by taking certain precautionary measures and keeping on the lookout for potential difficulties with the help of professionals after winter storms.