Winter poses no small number of threats to your home—specifically your roof—and dealing with these threats before they have a chance to deteriorate your exterior is hugely important to absolving yourself of costly roof repair in Calgary come spring. One such problem that you need to keep an eye out for is ice damming, which occurs when moisture is left to freeze on your roof, pushing its way up underneath your shingles where it can expand to cause all sorts of damage.
How do ice dams form?
The worst part about ice damming is the nature by which it occurs. Rain or melting snow may leave hints of moisture on your roof, but due to the unpredictable climate shifts that occur this time of year, that leftover moisture can quickly freeze, remaining a permanent fixture on your roof.
What’s more, as the season progresses onward, more moisture might have the opportunity to build up in the same area, creating a larger ice dam capable of more damage to your shingles and underlying parts of your roof. But, because the winter season doesn’t allow for a lot of opportunity to inspect your roof, you might not realize that an ice dam has formed until spring rolls around, by which time the damage has already been done.
Protecting your home
To prevent an ice dam from forming on your roof, it takes careful planning and preparation for the winter season. The first and foremost thing to worry about, however, is actually your gutters. Because gutters are responsible for ensuring that any moisture on your roof is able to be jettisoned away, not allowing it to linger on your shingles or any other part of the roof, they’re your main concern when it comes to winterizing your roof. Make sure there are no blockages in the gutters, that they’re free of debris and that nothing is preventing them from sending water far away from your roof, to the ground below.
When you’ve checked to see that your gutters are in perfect working order, check for loose shingles or those that are cracked and/or broken. These shingles will invite water in and are the perfect cause for roof repair in Calgary as is, however when winter rolls around, you can afford to give them the opportunity to damage your roof.
Finally, have a roofing contractor inspect the slope and pitch of your roof if you’ve had water troubles in the past. If melting snow and freezing rain aren’t able to be properly funneled off of your roof to your gutters, that moisture is going to stay put in nooks and crannies, where it’s sure to develop an ice damn in no time at all.
Prepare your roof for winter weather
The easiest way to address all of the mitigating factors mentioned above is to have your roof inspected and tended to by a professional before the winter weather truly reigns in. Being proactive and thorough is your best defense against ice dams and other wintertime roofing woes, so don’t delay in calling your trusted contractor today!