Ice…in Georgia? Depending on where you live in our great state you can expect anywhere from one to three ice storms per winter. Is your roof ready for the inevitable strain of ice?
Accent Roofing sees far too many homeowners caught off guard by the damage ice can do! Here’s how to tell whether your roof is up for what winter has in store.
Shingles, Flashing, and Attachments
Ice is most damaging to the parts of your roof that can detach. When water gets underneath your shingles, flashing, and other attached components (like antennas) and freezes, it expands. This constant contraction and expansion leads to detachment of your roof’s critical infrastructure and specifically, the parts that are supposed to keep it sealed! When the sealed components of your roof stop working correctly, water gets in and when it comes to roofing, water is the enemy.
Guarded Gutters
You might be surprised to find out that one of the most common issues people report to us after an ice storm is broken or detached gutters. Why does this happen? Because gutters that are clogged with leaves and debris can’t effectively filter water away from the house. When that standing water freezes, it expands! This causes gutters to bend, break, and become far heavier than their supports are intended to handle. Keep your gutters clean and talk to your roofer about investing in gutter guards if you have a lot of overhanging trees.
Structural Stability
One of the untold dangers of ice, particularly here in the southeast where we don’t usually get a lot of it, is added weight. Ice is incredibly heavy. If an ice storm hits and lingers for more than a day or so, your roof is going to be under a lot of extra strain. When your roof is already structurally compromised due to unmitigated repairs or even old age, that extra weight can actually be dangerous. If you’ve been putting off much-needed roof maintenance until the spring, don’t wait; do it now.
Insulation Check
The insulation inside your attic can drastically alter how well your roof responds to ice. Heat rises, so the highest layer of your roof is likely to be the warmest; that’s where ice will melt first. If your insulation and ventilation systems are working properly, the temperature differential between the top and bottom of your roof won’t be all that significant. If it’s off kilter, you could end up with what’s known as an “ice dam” near the edge of your roof which can quickly lead to leakage. Talk to your roofer about how well the insulative properties of your roof are prepared for winter.
Ready to shore up your property for the coming months? It might not be Minnesota, but north Georgia gets cold weather, too. Ice is something you can’t ignore, and statistics tell us we’ll be getting at least one significant ice event this year. Reach out to your friends at Accent Roofing for a free roofing inspection to assess your property before inclement weather hits. Now’s the time.
Call us today to book your on-site roofing inspection:
770-769-1808
