Winter weather will always wreak havoc on your roof, effectively putting the safety of your home and family in jeopardy. After months of carrying the weight of snow and ice, your roof needs some extra support!
The Construction Group, expert roofing contractors in Woodbury, is prepared to repair and restore your roof to its original quality condition.
Don’t risk the collapse! Stay safe and secure by letting us repair your roof.
Possible Damage to Your Roof
In order to evaluate possible damage to your roof, roofing contractors suggest looking at the slope of the roof. The steeper the slope, the less damage will occur because the snow and ice will be able to melt off. Lower sloped roofs carry more weight of built-up snow throughout the winter.
Other factors include:
● Old shingles allowing leaks
● Frozen water repeatedly freezing and thawing
● Icicles pulling off shingles
● Moisture build up inside the attic
Before you grab a ladder and rush up to the roof to check on the stability and safety of your home, make sure you are aware of your options for protecting your roof from collapse. There are many things you can do during the winter to prevent collapse.
Signs Your Roof is Damaged
The last thing you want to feel is the drip of water on your head as you lounge in your living room. When a roof is damaged, water finds its way through small cracks in the roof and enters your home. Sometimes it can be hard to locate these water spots because water does not always come straight down.
Be on the lookout for these signs of water damage, and be the most prepared homeowner on your street:
● Water spots inside your home. Keep your eyes on the ceiling and look for water damage.
● Water spots on the exterior of your home. Water can affect the outside of your home as well and can alert you to streams of water.
● Pieces of shingles in the gutters. Water damage can loosen and break the shingles. You might find pieces of broken shingles in the gutters.
● Roof buckle. You will notice a sagging of the roof if you walk in the attic or on the roof.
Signs Your Roof is on the Verge of Collapse
Fixing roof damage before it’s too late will prevent haggling with your claims adjuster later. While it’s crucial to ensure your roof is capable of handling heavy winter snow loads and equally important that it’s up to code, you must also know the signs of an impending roof collapse for either your home or business.
Monitor and stay aware of daily snowfall amounts and the accumulation of snow on your roof. The following are some common signs of a potential and threatening roof collapse:
● A sagging ceiling
● Wet and/or stained roof or ceiling tiles
● Severe/repeated leaks
● Doors and windows become hard to close, or pop open on their own
● Creaking or popping noises coming from the roof
If you see one or more of these signs, call a qualified roofing professional or building inspector to assess your roof. A roof at risk of collapsing might potentially cause personal injury and property damage.
Speaking of insurance, most, if not all homeowners insurance policies cover loss caused by weight of ice and snow especially if you live in a prone region such as Minnesota. However, you may want to read or go over your policy with your agent to see what your policy does not cover. Making fixes now will save you money over a total collapse with limited claim payments.
Damage from winter storms is the No. 3 cause of catastrophe claims across the country, according to Insure.com.
DIY Winter Maintenance and Roof Collapse Prevention
1. Purchase a snow rake to safely remove snow during the winter months.
2. Properly remove icicles from the roof using a ladder and your roof rake.
3. Insulate your attic and fix any leaks in the insulation to prevent mold build up.
4. Remove any loose debris such as dirt and leaves on your roof weekly if possible.
5. Note any damaged, missing, or loose shingles and have a professional contractor assess any repairs needed.
6. See if there are any dark spots on the roof, which can indicate bacteria growth as well as mold.
7. Make certain all soffits, fascia, gutters, and downspouts are in good condition.
There comes the point when the snow and ice cannot be removed without consulting a professional. Your roof protects your home from weather and attempting to fix it yourself could prove dangerous.
Allow professional roofing contractors in Woodbury like The Construction Group to restore your roof to its original condition and rest assured that your roof will keep you warm and cozy during the winter.
Let Roofing Experts in Woodbury Repair Your Roof
Roof collapse is inevitable if you choose to take no action to protect your roof against the snow that comes with the winter months. The expert roofing contractors we have on staff at The Construction Group can restore your roof to its original glory, taking all of the stress off of you.
We can also attend to your roof’s ice dams or any other storm damage repairing needs. For more information, call us at 651-731-5857, or you can message us on our contact page.