Georgia Homeowners: How To Prevent Roof Damage Over The Winter

With the mild winters that we experience here in Georgia, roof problems probably aren’t something you think of. But winter weather can still cause damage you want to be prepared for.

During the winter months, as ice and snow build up on the roof of your house, there’s always the risk of unexpected repairs. The good news is that you can avoid costly fixes before damage occurs by safely removing ice and snow from your roof by hiring an experienced roofing contractor.

Here’s how to take care of your roof during winter.

Causes of roof damage

Winter weather can quickly cause damage to your home. While some roof repairs may be minor, other repairs can run into the thousands. You can expect to pay about $575 for shingle roof repairs and up to $6,000 if you need to replace your asphalt roof due to ice and snow damage.

These are some of the problems that you need to be aware of:

• Snow load: It doesn’t take long for ice buildup and snow load to accumulate on the roof of your house. If left for too long, this added weight can quickly damage roof gutters and shingles and can lead to structural damage.
• Water leaks: As ice and snow melts from warmer temperatures and heat from the interior of your home, it can cause water runoff. Water can slowly seep through shingles and onto the structure of the roof which may lead to small leaks into the attic and cause damage to the insulation.
• Ice dams: Melting ice and snow can quickly re-freeze when it’s trapped, creating ice dams along roof edges and in downspouts and gutters. These dams can obstruct the flow of melting snow so that water pools on the roof and causes serious damage to shingles. Trapped water can also seep down into the attic and through to ceilings in your living areas.

To protect your roof this winter contact a HomeAdvisor pro in Georgia.

Removing ice and snow

Removing accumulations of ice and snow can help to eliminate many winter roof problems, however it’s best to leave snow removal to a contractor who can safely do the job for you.

Not only is DIY snow removal dangerous, you could also cause more damage to the roof by using a regular snow shovel. It may also be tempting to use calcium chloride or rock salt to melt ice and snow, but both can cause damage to the shingles and void any warranty from the manufacturer.

Downspouts and gutters

Ice in downspouts and gutters is a common problem in winter. Any debris inside the spouts and gutters will cause melting water to back up and freeze when the temperature drops. To avoid this problem, make sure to regularly clean the gutter system to keep it clean and clear of leaves and other debris.

Skylights

Skylights present their own problem during the winter months as snow covers up “weep holes”, the holes placed around the edges of the glass. When these holes are covered condensation can form on the inside, causing water to drip into your home. When you hire a contractor for snow removal be sure to let them know that you have skylights that need extra care to avoid damage.

To avoid roofing problems this winter, call a HomeAdvisor contractor in Georgia.

This Patch article is sponsored by HomeAdvisor.