Roofing in Savage MN | Can snow really damage my roof?
Can snow really damage my roof?
It’s winter again, which means the climate can wreak havoc on your home. While some states tend to be hit harder with snow and ice than others, none of us are immune. Typically, we try to protect our homes from the harsh effects of winter storms with snow removal services on our roofs, trimming back bushes and trees that have grown over doorways and installing storm windows. But when it comes to protecting your home from damage, these efforts may not always cut it. If you want to learn more about roofing in Savage MN, then look into how Capstone Bros. Contracting can help you and your home today.
Make sure your gutters are in good shape
Gutters perform an important function in the winter: moving meltwater away from your roof and siding. If your gutters fail, you’ll let water seep into your home, which could cause mold, mildew, or other forms of water damage in the future. All of these problems will be much more costly to fix in the future than simply preventing water problems now. But how do you do that? By making sure your gutters are in good shape. If your gutters are already a little worn down, you’ll want to get them replaced now, before winter hits. Nothing would be worse than your gutters breaking under the heavy weight and stress of snow mid-winter, when most contractors won’t be willing to help service your home anymore.
Make sure you have an adequate amount of insulation
Snow can cause cave-ins, structural damage, and more to your roof. If you want to find ways to help prevent roof damage from heavy snow falls, you can start by insulating your attic. If you don’t have enough insulation, your attic can get cold and cause ice dams to form on the roof. Ice dams can be extremely dangerous for your home, especially if they start to melt off during warm months and cause water damage inside your house. To prevent this from happening, make sure you have an adequate amount of insulation so that ice dams cannot form.
Ensure your attic is properly ventilated
The attic is often the forgotten space in our homes, but it’s an important part of a well-insulated home. It provides additional living space as well as important storage for seasonal items like holiday decorations or camping gear. The attic also plays an important role in keeping your home cool during the summer months by allowing hot air to escape through vents or gable end vents. In the winter, the attic can help keep your home warm by preventing heat loss through the roof. But there are several ways that snow can damage your roof, so it’s important to know what they are and what you can do about them.
Roofing Contractors can be a great resource for information about the damage that snow can cause, as well as ways to prevent it. They may also be able to recommend certain types of roofing materials that are more resistant to damage from heavy loads of snow and ice.
Inspect your roof and replace any missing or damaged shingles
If your roof is already showing signs of damage, you’ll want to get it repaired before winter starts. Once snow and ice starts forming on your roof, they’ll work their way into existing points of damage, expanding them and making them worse. Then, once the weather turns warm again (or when the weather turns warm enough to melt intermittently throughout the winter) the snow and ice will melt down into your roof, causing water damage to your home.
Once spring starts, you should check your roof and replace any missing or damaged shingles soon as possible. Use a ladder and inspect the entire roof for missing or damaged shingles, cracks around chimneys, wind damage and ice dams. If you have any of these problems, call a roofer to fix them before they become bigger issues.
Use a roof rake to remove snow from the edge of the roof and gutters
You can also help prevent a snow load from damaging your roof by clearing the area around it once or twice a year. If you have trees near your home, use landscaping to keep them at least 10 feet away from the building itself. Do the same for your chimney and any other vents on your roof. You should also clear snow from around your gutters, downspouts and pipes that lead from the roof to the ground below before they become clogged with ice or snow. Keep an eye out for water leaks in these areas during heavy storms as well.
Snowstorm and ice damage is more common than you might think – in some areas of the country, up to half of all roof repairs come courtesy of bad weather. However, the good news is that snowstorm and ice damage doesn’t have to destroy your property or your bank account. With a little preparation, and a few simple steps, you can protect your home from moderate roof damage. At Capstone Bros. Contracting, we’d be happy to help you and your home with our Roofing, Siding, Windows, and Storm Damage services. If you have any concerns about roof repairs or replacement, how to get your home ready for winter, or simply increasing your home’s value, contact Capstone Bros. Contracting today.