It’s that time of year again – snow and ice are accumulating, and it’s bitter cold outside. In Michigan, one of the harshest elements your roof can come in contact with is ice. Making sure your roof can stand up to the elements is important, however, even the strongest of roofs can still be devastated by ice. Don’t let ice go unattended to for too long, otherwise you might end up with a roof you can no longer rely on. In this blog post, we’re going to explore some of the ways snow and ice damage can lead to major issues for your home.
Freezing and Thawing
As we all know, Michigan weather can change on a dime. One minute it’s snowing, the next it’s raining. This type of weather fluctuation can be a detriment to your roof. The constant back and forth between freezing and thawing can weaken the integrity of your roof – leading to repair or replacement much sooner than expected.
Additionally, when snow and ice accumulate, cracks can develop on the surfaces of your roof – whether structural components or shingles. Water getting into even the smallest of cracks can lead to major damage. Not only can surface cracks result in water leaks inside your home but they pose a major threat to the structural integrity of your roof. The constant freezing and thawing can cause surface cracks to increase in size, eventually moving your roof’s shingles and leading to further damage.
Weakened Structural Integrity
When it comes to your roof, snow itself isn’t necessarily a concern. Unless your roof isn’t able to withstand the weight of snow, you don’t really have to worry. Ice, however, is something to be concerned about.
When water freezes, it expands. This is a problem when you have water sitting in all the cracks and crevices of your roof. The last thing you want is ice to compromise such an important part of your home.
As ice expands and moves the surfaces of your roof away from one another, weak points are created. And once the ice melts, you could end up with water inside your home due to the weakened integrity of your roof or other exterior surfaces. A rock solid roof can help ward off ice damage by minimizing the amount of cracks and crevices that water could sit in. However, a strong roof doesn’t always survive ice. If concerned, make sure you call a professional to remove ice from your roof before any structural components are truly affected.
Ice Dams
If enough ice accumulates on your roof, ice dams can form. They are the result of ice and snow melting, flowing down your roof and freezing right at the edge. Ice dams can wreak havoc on your gutters and potentially tear the flashing off your roof.
The Take Away
If ice accumulation on your roof isn’t dealt with in a timely manner, you may end up dealing with one of these issues. And remember, a structurally weak roof may not be able to support the weight of snow. If you’re concerned about your roof’s ability to stand up to snow and ice this winter, give us a call! We can inspect your roof and make sure it’s in optimal condition. And as soon as you notice ice on your roof, stay vigilant and give us a call if you’re concerned about anything.
Thank you for stopping by our website, and stay tuned for future blog posts!