Four Winter Roof Disasters And How To Handle Them

Now that winter is upon us, it always good to be vigilant about our roof maintenance and care. Toronto can be one of the coldest Canadian cities at times, so to keep your family safe, warm, and cozy during this season, you need to ensure that your roof is in good shape. If you suspect that your roof will not weather the winter and one large snowfall or storm might cause it to collapse, consider investing in a roofing upgrade or at the very least, having a roofing professional come inspect it for you. Even if they can’t fix your problem right away, they will be able to advise you on how to properly mitigate the problem and prevent further damage in the meantime. Here are four winter disasters to be on the lookout for and how to deal with each.

Trees

Tree and snow weight are common roofing disasters that occur during the winter. If you have trees on your property, no matter what their age, there is always a possibility that they may fall on your roof during a particularly severe storm. Older trees run an even higher risk, as trees get weaker with age. Because of this, tree branches may break from the added weight of accumulated snow or freezing rain. To be on the safe side, prune your trees so that no branch goes over your roof (and therefore cannot fall off onto your roof either).

Snow Weight

Roofing problems caused by snow weight are common on flat or low-sloped roofs and may need to be fixed by a professional roofing company like Professional Roofers. Flat roofs are incapable of draining accumulated ice and snow on their own, so you will need to keep an eye on ice and snow accumulation and clear the snow from your flat roof regularly. The standard recommended weight is 20 pounds of ice for every square foot of roof; any excess ice could lead to your roof caving in and a call to Professional Roofers.

Roof Leaks

Leaks are a common roofing disaster associated with the Toronto Ontario winter weather. Leaks occur when ice forms following the accumulation of moisture under your roof shingles. This is normally a result of loose shingles therefore, before the winter season begins, it is very important that you have a roofing expert conduct preventative maintenance. They will identify if your shingles have detached and repair them to reduce their vulnerability to winter.

If it happens that you notice roof leaks during the winter, it is important that you call an emergency roofing expert immediately. Any delays and the leak could cause havoc on your roof and house. Therefore, it is advisable that you stay vigilant for any signs of leaks, including mold and the presence of water spots on your ceiling.

Ice Dams

Ice dams are caused when the gutter is blocked due to the accumulation of debris. When ice dams form, excess water accumulates on the roof because it has no way of draining. To avoid this situation, ensure that your gutters are cleaned before winter begins. You can also purchase gutter filters to prevent the entry of leaves.