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Winter weather can be cruel to your roofing structure. Snow, ice and water work in tandem to degrade the integrity of your roof. Below, we’ll look at some of the dangers of these elements.

Snow

Snow can pile several feet high, and the more it piles, the more weight is loaded on your roof. Once the weight exceeds your roof’s load-bearing capacity, your roof’s surface will begin to crack and creak, your ceiling may start to sag and become bowed, and your roof may eventually collapse.

Ice

In the fall, spring and summer months, water runs from your roof to your gutters, and if your gutters are clean, into the drains. However, in the winter months, the temperature drops, and the water that usually runs from the roof to the drains consolidates into an ice dam that blocks the gutters. This will cause excess water to pool on the surface of the roof.

Water

Once excess water has accumulated on the roof, it can create leakage points. Water can seep into these leakage points, which can damage your ceiling, drywall, floors and more. The infiltration of water can spawn unwanted mold and mildew, which is a health hazard for anyone residing in the home.

How to Protect Your Roof from Winter’s Harshest Elements

Removing snow form your roof is one way to prevent extra weight which can cause damage to your roofing structure and cause leaks. However, this can be extremely dangerous and should only be done by a trained professional.
Ensure that your gutters remain unclogged, and ventilate your attic. Doing so will prevent the formation of ice dams.

If there are any problems that are out of your realm of control, contact a professional roofing contractor like Mountain West Roofing to repair and maintain your roof.