SNOW AND ICE DAMAGE
Winter is no doubt the toughest season for roofs, and if your home isn't properly prepared and monitored, Ice and snow can cause roof damage if it accumulates too much.
It’s crucial to have your roof inspected and repaired as soon as a problem occurs to prevent leaks, molding, and many other safety hazards.
HOW SNOW AND ICE CAN IMPACT YOUR ROOF
Heavy ice and snow loads on your roof can lead to serious problems. These include:
- Injuries from snow and ice falling from sloped roofs
- Roof collapse, especially on flat roofs
- Carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from blocked chimneys and vents
- Water damage from ice dams that form on the edges of roofs and in gutters
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF ICE AND SNOW DAMAGE OCCURS ON YOUR ROOF
If your roof has ice or snow buildup, don't try to remove it yourself. Climbing on roofs to clear snow and ice is dangerous and can lead to injury. It’s also difficult to remove large amounts of snow and ice from roofs, especially if the roofs have steep slopes.
Rather than risking your own safety, it’s better to call a professional to remove snow and ice from your roof. Residential roofing professionals are trained to properly remove snow and ice off roofs. They can also give you a range of short-term and long-term solutions, helping you enjoy a worry-free winter in your home.
WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR ROOF FROM SNOW DAMAGE
- Insulation and ventilation
- Installing gutters
- Installing heated cables
- Cleaning gutters
- Snow guards
- Cleaning snow/ice from roof
WIND DAMAGE
Many homeowners are surprised to find that wind can damage their homes, especially their roofs.
The roof is designed to withstand strong winds, but if high wind speed is sustained or your home is subject to abnormally strong wind gusts, damage often occurs. If wind speeds are very high, even new, secure shingles can tear away.
HOW DOES WIND DAMAGE YOUR ROOF?
- Damage Due to Wind Intensity: Winds that are below the 74 mph range often won’t do any damage to your roof. If your home is in the path of a Category 1 to 5 hurricane, or is subject to very strong gusts during a bad storm or tornado event, damage becomes likely.
- Damage Due to Debris: During natural disasters, the wind isn’t the only thing you should be worried about. Wind can also carry debris such as branches, light outdoor furniture, and other objects. While your roof may be able to withstand the wind, handling impact from debris is another story. If your roof is hit by flying debris carried by strong winds, it’s very likely to suffer damage.
TYPE OF WIND DAMAGE
- Granule Loss
- Loose or missing shingle
- Peeling or curling shingles
- Indoor leaks
- Chimney issues
HAIL STORMS STRIKES
A bad hail storm with average-sized hail may be compared to a professional golfer hitting thousands upon thousands of golf balls at your house.
It is easy to see how a severe hail storm can damage shingles as well as the skylights, gutters, vent hoods, and other elements of the roofing structure.
SPOT HAIL DAMAGE
Hail can cause damage to any section of a property, but the roof is the most vulnerable. It’s not always easy to spot roof hail damage, and even relatively moderate storms that deliver tiny balls of hail ice can mean big trouble for homeowners. These are basic visual checks that can be completed by the homeowner:
- Cracked tiles, dented/split shingles
- Chimney cover damage
- Damaged siding
- Missing or curled shingles
- Damaged gutter guards or vents
- Granules in gutters or downspouts
- Shingles on the ground
IF YOU SUSPECT HAIL DAMAGE, THIS IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
If you believe your tile roof has sustained damage from a hail storm, we recommend scheduled a roof inspection with a professional roofing contractor you can trust to inspect your roof safely and thoroughly. Most roofing contractors provide free inspections and estimates, and so do we. We will thoroughly inspect your entire roof and look for any signs of roof hail damage. Our experts have the knowledge and experience to suggest the appropriate roofing services, whether it's roof repair or roofing replacement. After a storm, we're the experts to call!
