If your home or building is located in an area that regularly is hit with winter storms, you need to have a clear action plan. You may be used to extreme weather, but it’s vital to prevent the risks of these blizzard conditions. It’s also important to understand how winter affects a pitched roof and a flat roof.
Effects of Winter on Pitched Roofs
Pitched roofs are specifically created to lead snowmelt into an external gutter system, which is an excellent option for homeowners. According to reports, if your roof has steep slopes, you won’t have long-term buildup. However, winter storms can also be a factor for accumulation. If your gutters are clogged, the snow buildup and leaves can be too heavy, which may lead to major issues.
Effects of Winter on Flat Roofs
The winter season directly affects flat and low-pitched roofs. Usually, we can see this kind of roofs on industrial buildings and apartment complexes. Most industrial buildings use a rooftop heating and ventilation system. However, during the winter, the snow buildup can make the system work inefficiently.
Prevention Tips
1. Find out about your roof’s weaknesses – You must know the weaknesses of your roof. If you’re able to determine the weak spots, you can already take some action before it gets more damaged by the extreme weather. Check if there are low-lying areas, leaks in the upper floors and sagging gutters.
2. Post-snow inspection – You can’t be one 100% sure that your roof is perfectly fine. Evaluate your roof after a winter storm, and look out for warning signs like sagging, moderate to severe leaks, cracked or split framing bends in the support structure and many more. If you spot some of these signs, take action.
3. Remove the ice and snow ASAP – It’s true that pitched roofs can handle prolonged snowfall. However, it’s also hard to remove the snow buildup on this kind of roof. So, take steps to clear the snow and ice off your roof as soon as possible.
For siding, roofing and other services, trust Roof Masters for quality work. Give us a call at (301) 230-7663, or fill out our contact form to schedule a FREE inspection and estimate. We serve clients in Rockville, MD.
