PROTECTING YOUR ROOF FROM WINTER WEATHER

In the Great Lakes regions, roof damage is common during the winter months because of the sheer volume of heavy snow and ice. If your roof is in bad shape, missing shingles, old or storm damaged, the effects can be even worse. When ice and snow remains on your roof, water damage can occur to the roof, walls and ceilings, sometimes even if your roof is in good condition. Heavy snow and ice can also damage gutter systems from the weight and tear gutters away from the roofline. There are a number of proactive measures you can take to prevent this problem.

One cause of water damage is heat that rises to the roof from the home’s interior. The heat causes snow to melt and refreeze repeatedly leading to ice dams. Ice dams form on the roof and gutters when temperatures dip below 32°.  This can result in water backing up under the roof shingles, behind fascia boards or sideways through flashing. This is when water damage can occur inside the home.  Ice in gutters can be tricky to remove without damaging gutter systems. Trying to remove frozen snow and ice from roofs can be equally as dangerous and potentially damaging.

There are a number of ways to reduce these winter risks. One is to have your roof and gutters inspected before winter weather arrives to ensure it is in good condition and can withstand snow and ice. Trim a Seal recommends that you have gutters reinforced with steel brackets to strengthen them and ensure that they can withstand the weight of snow and ice. We also offer a product called Helmet Heat, which installs over Gutter Helmetsolid gutter covers. Three heated cables are fastened to the Gutter Helmet to distribute heat which melts snow and ice. The Helmet-heat de-icing controller is designed to activate your Helmet Heat when outside temperatures reach levels that are likely to produce icicles and ice-dams.

Another great way to reduce the damaging effects of melting snow and ice on your roof is to regulate the temperature of the attic space in your home. Owen Corning blown in insulation can block the transfer of heat from your home’s living spaces to the attic and help regulate the temperature of your attic.

Trim A Seal is an authorized Gutter Helmet and Helmet Heat installer, a licensed Indiana roofing contractor and a 5 Star Owen’s Corning Insulation contractor. To find out more about properly winterizing your home to prevent heat loss and damage from ice dams, give us a call 800-217-6355 or click here to request a free in home consultation.