How Snow and Ice Can Impact Your Roof

As a Colorado Springs homeowner, you may be wondering if ice and snow can impact your roof this winter. Whether your roof is negatively impacted by winter weather is determined by how well you take care of it. Roof maintenance is a crucial part of taking care of your home as whole. Here are a couple of ways that winter weather can impact your roof and the maintenance required to prevent them. 

Ice dams: Ice dams are ridges of ice that form near the eave of a roof and prevent melting snow from running off properly. Ice dams are formed when heat builds up in the attic and warms the roof, this causes snow to melt before it refreezes at the eaves. Ice accumulates and forms a dam holding meltwater behind it. The water then runs beneath the shingles and into the house. Once this happens, your home is at risk of interior water damage. You can prevent ice dams by adding insulation to your attic floor, or by adding heating cables to your roof.

Leaking caused by freeze and thaw cycles: Freeze and thaw cycles weaken your roof by worsening existing damage. When water accumulates in any cracks or holes on your roof, regardless of the roof type, it freezes and expands. This leads to further destruction and roof leaks. Even the tiniest amount of damage can become bigger and more problematic during freeze and thaw cycles. That’s why it’s important to take care of your roof and make sure any repairs are complete before winter begins. 

A well-maintained roof will continue to protect your home no matter the season. Preventative roof care and repairs will save you money and headaches in the long run. Will your roof last this winter? Give us a call at (719) 487-7663 to schedule a free roofing assessment today. We’re here to help all year round. Did you know that you can even replace your roof during winter? Check out our blog post here to learn more.