Winter can be pretty harsh in North America, especially in places like Northern Virginia where temperatures can drop to as low as -4 °C in January. However, renowned home improvement expert and HGTV host, Mike Holmes, says wintertime woes aren’t just limited to the cold. This season is also infamous for putting even the most durable houses to test, particularly their roofing systems which are often damaged due to excessive amounts of snow and ice:
If the bottom of your roof along the eavestroughs is full of ice, and the snow starts to melt, the water isn’t going to flow down the eaves-troughs and downspouts. It’s go-ing (sic) to go right back up under the shingles. And once water creeps under the shingles it can drain in-side exterior walls, causing dam-age (sic) to framing, sheathing, siding and drywall.
As such, it’s not uncommon for some Northern Virginia roofing contractors, like Roof Masters, to be called upon for roof repairs at this time. Leaks, cracks, and ice dams are just some of the problems that they’re faced with during the harsh, wintry conditions outside. It can be quite uncomfortable for roofers to perform their duties amidst the snow, but they believe that it’s better to do much of the legwork rather than let the homeowners carry it out themselves. Slips and falls can only begin to describe the hazards of roof installation and maintenance done during wintertime.
When it comes to prioritizing roof problems, leaks or water infiltration need to be remedied first above all else. Not only will the resulting accumulation of moisture damage household goods, it can also become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria and microbes. During wintertime, moisture can originate from piles of snow and ice on the roof, which can be removed with the help of melting pellets and/or standard cleaning tools. Some Fairfax, Gaithersburg, and Silver Spring roofing companies in Northern Virginia employ special roofing products like CertainTeed’s WinterGuard system to prevent ice and snow buildup.
They can also be used to prevent ice dams, which can cause extensive damage to rain gutters and home siding. However, the best way to eliminate them is to clean the gutters in the spring or fall months so that the inevitable wintertime ice can flow through them – exactly what Mike Holmes recommends. With luck, these tips would mean fewer roof repair jobs during the cold and snowy months, and a more bearable winter to most North American homes.
(Article Information and Image from Winter can wreck your house – and your budget, Leader Post, December 30, 2013)
