Winter
is supposed to mark the start of the holidays and should be a time
for cheer. However, in cold climates like Denver, the season brings
numerous problems to roofing in particular. Roofs are subjected to
numerous hazards at wintertime, and homeowners should understand
exactly how the cold affects their roofing and how some problems can
cause roofs to give way.
Small
flaws that are usually minor frustrations in better weather, such as
cracks, missing shingles, and clogged gutters are magnified at the
arrival of winter and heavy snowfall begins. The “minor” cracks
can be aggravated by freezing temperatures that force the material to
contract. Deteriorating gutters that can’t effectively channel
water out of the roof will lead to ice dams that will eventually
prevent proper water management. A roof that already has some
problems is also likely to cave if too much snow builds up on its
surface; the sheer weight of packed snow can easily bring down a
weakened roof.
Homeowners
should have their roofs fixed and prepared before the days of heavy
snowfall begin. Winter roof maintenance though is something that is
best left to roofing contractors. These professionals can identify
any problematic parts of the roof, such as flimsy fastening and
warped shingles, which could become liabilities once the cold kicks
in.
