Roofing Snow Melt Protection

For homeowners who live in an area that is prone to harsh winters, you know what a nightmare that snow and ice can cause for your roof.  During the worst months of winter, snow sometimes accumulates faster than it can be removed, which causes a buildup on your roof.  Continued cold weather causes the presence of ice, which can cause even more damage.  As the temperatures begin to increase, it would seem like all problems are over now that the snow begins to melt.  Unfortunately, this is not necessarily the case.

When Snow Begins To Melt

As the temperatures warm up and the snow begins to melt, the running water will likely find it’s way into any crack or puncture caused by the excessive weight of the snow and ice.  Punctures, cracks and breakage in roof material may occur and, once the snow melts, the water runoff can soak into the structure of the roof or the walls before finding it’s way inside your home.

Professionals & Roofing Snow Melt Protection

Each contractor is different and may use a variety of ways to handle snow melt protection.  They may be able to help in the process of snow melt so that no further damage is caused to your home.

More Potential Problem Areas

If you have gutters, ice may build up and prevent snow melt from draining properly.  In some cases, the gutters may have to be completely removed in order for the water to be properly withdrawn.  Flat roofs may experience problems if their drains are covered with ice, which prevents water runoff.  The water remains trapped on the roof and will likely cause excessive weight and possible damage and leaks.

If you have a skylight, let you contractor know of their location so he/she knows to look for them.  This will help to prevent damage in the event that your skylight is covered with snow and is not visible immediately.  If the skylight has snow or ice around it, ask the contractor to remove the weight to prevent any damage.

Correcting The Problem

Roofing snow melt protection is the way to go if you have harsh winters.  A professional roofing contractor is skilled in roofing snow melt protection and can help to protect your home from the harsh realities of Mother Nature.  As homeowners, we must protect our home - both inside and out.  To that end, we must do everything that we can to maintain the structural integrity of our roof.  A roofing contractor will be able to provide you with a quote, and further information, on roofing snow melt protection.

From the US Department of Energy, "Cold and very cold climates present several challenges for home building", please read more...