After a big snow storm, most of us usually head out to shovel our driveways and sidewalks. But it’s easy to forget that snow accumulates on your roof too and if it gets too heavy, you may be in for some serious trouble. A typical roof can withstand a force of about 20 pounds per square feet before becoming stressed. In order to help you visualize that number you might want to know that 5 pounds is equivalent to 1 feet of snow or 1 inch of ice.

If you notice massive snow accumulation stay wary and keep an eye out for the key signs. These include hearing a creaking sound on the roof or noticing sagging on the roof edges or in the ceiling. Snow accumulation can also cause so much extra weight that doors get stuck or jammed. If you notice any of these signs in your home, it’s time to act immediately. Use a shovel, rake, or other snow removal tool after every storm to reduce the heavy weight of the snow on your roof and prevent damages.

In order to reduce the amount of snow that will accumulate you might want to inspect your roof, insulate and ventilate your attic and prevent ice dams from forming.

While inspecting your roof look for damaged, loose or missing shingles that may leak as well as shingles that are curling, lifting or buckling. After a severe storm with hail or high winds, it is a good idea to check your roof for damage. You also might consider having your roof inspected for damage by a professional at least once a year.
Ice dams occur when snow melts on your roof and then refreezes into slick patches of ice. They cause problems when the melted water moves into cracks and shingles, then freezes and expands. This can cause damage and leaks to your roof. There are a few different ways to protect your home against ice dams.

The first is to clean and clear your gutters and make sure they are in prime condition going into winter, so they can siphon off excess water before it freezes to your roof. Second, make sure your attic is properly insulated and check and clean all the vents. You can even add more vents to your roof and soffits. All of this works to keep your roof cooler in the winter and prevent warm patches from melting snow that will later turn into an ice dam. Finally, if you are still having problems with ice dams, you can purchase and install heating cables in your gutters to melt snow and ice and keep a healthy flow off your roof.

If your attic isn’t properly insulated, it can promote the formation of ice dams when there is as little as one to two inches of snow. When heat rises during the day, your attic will heat up and so will your roof, causing the snow to start to melt. When the temperature drops again, the snow will refreeze, potentially forming an ice dam.

To better insulate your attic, seal areas where exhaust fans, attic hatches and small holes allow heat to escape from your house and get into the attic. If your attic isn’t already insulated, you can purchase foam insulation and weather stripping at any home improvement store and add those to the plywood or drywall in your attic.

To prevent ice dams, you also need to make sure your attic is well ventilated. This will keep the underside of your roof cold and prevent the snow from melting and refreezing. Proper ventilation will keep the attic temperature closer to the outside temperature to prevent snow on the roof from melting and refreezing at the eaves.

If your attic ventilation is poor, water vapor generated from bathing, cooking and cleaning can reach the cold underside of a roof deck and condense. If this isn’t properly addressed, moisture build-up could damage your roof deck, insulation and drywall.

Protecting your siding is just as important as protecting your roof when it comes to harsh winter weather. The best way to protect your siding against the winter snow and sleet is by giving it a thorough inspection. Walk around your home and check for cracks, rotting, or loose siding, especially in the bottom half of your home. These issues can let snow and moisture into your house, and create leaks that damage your foundation. If you see anything wrong, call AWM Construction to come by and repair or replace any issues before winter comes.