Now that the holidays seem like a distant memory, for many people the prospect of more snow seems much less appealing than it did before the New Year.
Not only does snow mean it’s going to be very cold outside, it’s difficult to walk and drive through, and too much of it can damage your lawn.
In addition, if snow is allowed to build up on your roof, it can lead to problems like ice dams or structural damage, both of which can be very costly to repair.
Ice dams are formed when snow is allowed to collect on your roof, then heat rises through your home. This heat melts the snow, and the melt runs down the roof and freezes into ice once it reaches a cooler spot. This ice then forms a dam which can damage your roof by preventing snow and rain from being able to naturally drain through your gutters. The water instead leaks through cracks or openings in your roof, causing damage to the ceilings and walls in your home.
Though usually only a concern if you live in areas that experience heavy levels of snowfall, structural damage can occur when large amounts of snow are allowed to build up on a roof. The excessive weight of this snow causes pressure that can cause structural damage to your roof and your home.
So, how are you meant to stop snow from building up on your roof to begin with? Well, one of the best ways to mitigate the risk of snow is to switch to a metal roof.
Those of you who have a metal roof will know that snow rarely builds up on it, and this is because a metal roof has a very smooth surface, which makes it much harder for snow to be able to build up in the first place, especially when compared to more traditional asphalt roofing.
That isn’t to say that metal roofs are completely immune to a build-up of snowfall though, so to make extra sure that snow won’t cause you any problems, follow these steps:
Seal leaks
Make sure that any gaps or air leaks where hot air can escape your attic are sealed, as this will stop the hot air from melting the snow on your roof.
Additionally, you will want to make sure that your attic is properly insulated, and if it isn’t, then you may want to consider upgrading it, as poor insulation will also be costing you money on your energy bills.
Remove snow from your roof
If you notice that snow is starting to build up on your roof, make sure you remove it sooner rather than later.
You have a few options for doing this, including heated coils and ice melt socks, both of which may need to be installed by a professional.
You can also purchase snow rakes to manually remove snow from your roof yourself, though caution is advised during use as doing anything on your roof, especially in cold conditions, can be dangerous.
To learn more about metal roofing, or to see our full range of products and services, visit Garvin Metal Roofs now!