Why Roof Inspection After Snow Melt Is Vital

• Posted on HDNEditor
• in Home Maintenance
• on April 6, 2021
• Comments Off on Why Roof Inspection After Snow Melt Is Vital

This particular winter was pretty difficult for most people, even some who aren’t used to harsh winters, like those in Texas. Snow and ice are known to cause major problems like transportation slowdowns due to iced-over roads or even just because people are driving slower to be careful.

Homes, too, are affected by snow and ice, especially when this snow starts to melt and shows what kind of damage it left in its wake. Specifically, your roof can be impacted by this element.

We reached out to 619 Roofing, one of the top roof damage companies to tell us what kinds of damage we can expect to see on roofs, as well as why roof inspections are so vital for your whole home’s safety.

Ice Damming

It stands to reason that your roof would suffer the brunt of the impact that snow and ice have on your home – after all, it is your roof that will have to carry the weight of the snow all winter.

However, there are more subversive ways winter can cause roof damage. For instance, ice damming is a common problem that many people are not aware of. As you heat your home, your walls and roof get warm as well, melting a small amount of snow. The same effect can happen if there is a brief spell of higher temperatures and some of the snow melts.

Once your home gets colder again (at night when your heating is lowered, or when the outside temperatures drop again), the melted snow will re-freeze and cause an ice dam to form. This dam will block off any new snowmelt to naturally run off of your roof and create a buildup of water on your roof.

If you know anything about water, it should be that it will find its way down somehow. If that happens to be through the shingles of your roof, you get water damage to your roof, including possible structural damage, as well as mold growth if the situation is not noticed and remedied quickly.

Physical Roof Damage Due to Heavy Snow

Snow is heavy, despite what you may think looking at it falling gently through the air. Just think back to shoveling it off your driveway. Your roof is built to withstand this weight for the most part. Still, if the snows are unusually heavy, or last too long, your roof may be under additional stress.

That’s why a roof inspection is a good idea to call in the experts to inspect your roof for damage after a strong winter. Even if your roof has been built specifically to withstand heavier snow (as most northern states dictate), after a few winters, your roof is due for a check-up. Don’t let neglect and small expense of a roof inspection stop you from remediating small damages before they escalate and cause some major damage.

Water Condensation in the Attic

Water condensation in your attic is not as uncommon as you think, even if your roof is well insulated. The abovementioned ice dams can very quickly lead to water and condensation pooling in your attic. More importantly, though, this condensation will lead to more extensive damage to your roof, attic, and even your walls.

Roof Shingle Damage

As the final point, extensive snow can damage your shingles, in two ways. It can either physically damage the shingles themselves, or dislodge them from their place. In either case, you risk the same type of water damage once the snow melts.

A visual roof inspection should be enough to detect this kind of damage, but if you happen to miss it, a rainy spring can be a nightmare for you.

Hiring professional roof inspectors to gauge the state of your roof is a great way to save money while maintaining peace of mind.