Ice and snow are a common in the Columbus area, and while your home is probably built to withstand these weather conditions, some homeowners can get into trouble when they ignore or don’t know the signs of potential ice and snow damage on the roof. In extreme cases these conditions can cause severe damage to your roofing that can make it difficult to repair, and may require a full roof replacement. Here are some of the warning signs and risks you might face.
Heavy Weight
Snow might look charming on top of your home, but every square foot of snow on the roof adds weight. As the snow melts with warmer weather, or ice and sleet pack the snow down that weight can increase even more. Estimates have shown that 24 inches of snow can add as much as 19 tons of weight on an average-size roof. If you have significant snowfall in the area and don’t think your Columbus roofing can hold up, call a roofing contractor to discuss options for clearing the snow safely—trying to do it yourself could put you and your roof at risk.
Common signs of excess weight on the roof include loud cracks or pops, or doors and windows that are suddenly difficult to open. You can also visually see if you have a lot of snow buildup on the roof.
Ice Dams
Another risk of ice and snow on your roofing in Columbus is the potential for ice dams to form. These dams generally occur at the outer edge of the roofing after warm air in the attic melts the snow and ice at the top of the roof. The melted snow freezes again when it reaches the cold outer edge before it can be safely carried away in the gutters, leaving a blockage that stops any runoff. The resulting standing water can significantly damage your shingles.
The signs of an ice dam include melted snow at the ridges of your roof with snow buildup on the outer edges, and the formation of icicles in the gutters around the edge of your home.
If you see these signs of damage on your Columbus roofing, talk to a contractor today to find out what you should do to minimize the chance of significant problems in the future.