The Winter season is the hardest of all, especially on the roofs. It impacts the durability of the roof to a great extent. It is highly accurate for winter snow months where you don’t see sunlight for days. Our roofs help protect us and our homes throughout these extreme weather conditions.
Not all houses have the same roofs. Each differs, and so makes the impact of snow on it. Here’s what snow does to different roofs.
What Snow And Ice Do To Your Roof
Extreme snow and ice can cause significant damage to your roof in winters. If your roof is new, it might not be as impacted as an old one would. For a home that has been exposed to years of snow and has not gotten its roof replaced, the roof condition by now must be at its worst, and the durability will be very low.
Here’s how snow can impact the roof of your house.
Pressure And Strain
the excess amount of snow on the roof starts putting pressure and strain on it. On top of that, when you start shoveling snow from the roof of your house, it puts more stress on it. Depending on its type, the weight of snow and ice and any build-up water can soak into the roof.
Ice Dams
When the gutters start to melt with the warm air, these end up causing a barrier or dam of ice to form on the roof. This can prevent the snow along with any water from leaving your roof and doing significant damage.
Leaks
A common misconception of leaks is that of rainy months. However, the main problem, in this case, is snow. It can work its way into the cracks or sit beneath the shingles. It causes roof leaks and, along with that, stress on the entire roof.
Freeze And Thaw
The cycle of freeze and thaw is dangerous – just like it causes holes on the road, it does the same to the roof. If you see any gaps in your shingles or small cracks on the roof, know that water can sit there and freeze, turning these cracks into much larger ones.
Different Roofs Are Impacted Differently
The main factor determining how snow impacts a roof is the material made out of it. Different materials are influenced in different ways. Here are the most common roofing materials used to make roofs and their endurance to snow:
Wood: if you wish to get a great variety and are all about sustainability, a wooden roof is what you need. All wooden roofs have exceptional insulation abilities. They are highly resistant to water. If you’re looking for flat Roofs, Philadelphia, Top Tier Roofing can help.
Copper: one of the most widely used roofing options, it has over fifty years of life expectancy. It poses a solid resistance to mildew, mold, and other water-related damages. It is also known to endure rough winter weather such as hailstorms.
Clay: one of the oldest roofing materials, clay tile roofing holds excellent in the harsh winter and traps air beneath its tiles. It helps to act as a natural insulator and keeps the house warm in winters. It also helps restrict the ice dam formation and the damage done through the freeze and thaw cycle. Looking for Tile Roofs in Philadelphia? Contact Top Tier Roofing.
Slate: one of the most used natural roofing options, long-lasting slate roofs. With proper care, they can last up to decades! A slate roof acts as a natural heat-proofing material that keeps your house warm and cozy. This roofing material is resistant to water damage and extreme temperature changes.
If you live in Philadelphia, you know the weather conditions can be extreme, and you have someone to handle all your roofing needs. Top Tier Roofing is a one-stop solution for all your roofing needs in Philadelphia. They can cater to all:
- Shingle Roofs, Philadelphia
- Metal Roofs, Philadelphia
- Rubber Roofs, Philadelphia
Call them at (267)-485-6496 or visit their website.