Canadian winters are long and brutal. You rely on your home to shelter you from the harsh elements. However, the impact of snow and ice on your roof take their toll over time. Here’s what you should know about your roof and winter conditions.
Weight load:
The constant downward force on your roof from the weight of snow is one of the most common impacts on your roof during winter. If you aren’t getting regular inspections, you may have weak points resulting in sagging, leaks or even worse, cave-ins. You should be shovelling the snow off your roof regularly during the winter to lighten the stress.
Water damage:
Water runoff refreezes on the edge of your roof and creates an ice dam. This results in water to back up and make its way under your shingles. Water damage creates major damage to your roof and the interior of your home. It also introduces the likelihood that mould and mildew begin to grow which presents a health hazard to you and your family.
Thaw and refreezing:
Ice is not a force to be reckoned with, so much so that even concrete doesn’t stand a chance once water gets into the cracks and freezes. The same goes for your roof. Once water gets into the cracks and refreezes the expansion tears apart your shingles. Ice can also turn small cracks in your roof into larger ones, creating future issues.
Prevention:
Clean: You should be cleaning your gutters and clearing your roof of any branches at least twice a year. We recommend this happens every spring and fall. You can hire us to do maintenance on your roof and prolong its lifespan.
Repair:
Getting repairs as they are needed and not putting them off will help you be prepared for the harsh winter months. We offer shingle replacements, ventilation adjustments, temporary water-tight measures, rot damage removal as part of our repair services. Whether it’s routine repairs or emergency ones we have you covered.
Inspect:
Red Leaf Roofing offers comprehensive roofing inspection reports for property managers, insurance companies, and residential homeowners who want peace of mind on their roofing system. We find issues with your roof before they progress and become very costly. Request a quote from Red Leaf Roofing to get your roofing needs looked after and give you peace of mind.
