The Adverse Effects of Snow and Ice on Your Roof
Roofing by Bruce • November 24, 2022

November 24, 2022

The roof of a house is covered in snow and ice after a winter stormWinter weather in Pennsylvania can be brutal. You know how it is: whipping winds, blinding snowstorms, icicles hanging from gutters, etc. Freezing cold temperatures coupled with snow and ice can really affect your roof.

Winter Can Cause Your Roof Severe Stress

Humans experience stress, right? Well so do roofs, especially in the winter when they’re burdened with heavy snow and ice accumulation. It’s not that unusual for roofs to cave in if the snow is too heavy! Meanwhile, snow and ice can also be accompanied by rainwater and/or “melting,” such that the lowest point of a roof experiences the formation of large ice blocks. If you’ve ever tried to pick up a giant chunk of ice you know how heavy it is– well your roof has to deal with that stressful weight and sometimes it’s just too darn heavy to handle.

Speaking of ice, winter brings with it ice dam formations. Ice and snow melt on a roof, and that water flows downward where it ends up freezing at the edge of the roof. This can ruin your gutter system and/or tear the flashing off the roof. Meanwhile, there’s the freeze and thaw cycle which means water is changing shape, back and forth from ice to liquid, and that’s not good for a roof. It’s not unusual for the accumulation of snow and ice on a roof to lead to cracks in that roof. Even small cracks are bad because they allow water to seep into the roof (and subsequently the house), and that causes all sorts of issues. Shingles can move (or be torn off by winds), exposing the underlayment to moisture, which, again, is a bad thing.

In a way, winter weather is a bully to your roof. It can beat it up! That’s where you step in and hire a company like Roofing by Bruce to deal with the bully. Roofing by Bruce can help you get rid of ice dams. If your roof is cracked, it can be repaired. If shingles are missing, they can be replaced with new ones.

This winter season, if you suspect that you have roof problems, don’t hesitate to call Roofing by Bruce for professional assistance. The number is 570-424-8891 or email info@roofingbybruce.com.

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