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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Ice Capped: Preparing Roof for Winter Conditions

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.


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