The harsh winter weather can be tough on homes with older roofing and gutter systems. This time of the year, protecting these important home components from the onslaught of ice and snow is imperative to prevent water damage, potential roof collapse and other serious problems.
Today, Creative Construction Group, your local provider of residential roof installation services, discusses why ice is deemed bad news for your roof and gutters.
The Weight of Ice
Too much snow and ice can be more than your roof and gutters can handle. The added weight bearing down on them can be particularly damaging to the gutter system, causing it to crack or crumble or even detach from your roof’s fascia.
Ice Buildup
Fallen leaves and other debris prevent your gutters and downspouts from properly draining water away from home. This causes standing water to freeze during cold weather. Melted snow flowing down your roof reaches your ice-filled gutters, causing icicles to form on the edge of your roof (see image above). Residential roof repair pros recommend cleaning your gutters to prevent your home from getting more exposed to structural and moisture damage.
Ice Dams
Ice dams occur when a roof section heats up to above freezing but the edge is still below freezing. Those icicles mentioned above will melt into pools of water on the roof once the weather becomes a bit warm. The water then seeps under your roof shingles and into your walls and ceilings. Signs of moisture damage include damp spots on the ceiling, peeling paint, and sagging and rotting drywall.
At Creative Construction Group, we don’t just offer residential and commercial roof replacement. We also provide complete gutter services, including new gutter installation and replacement and gutter cleaning. We install high-quality seamless gutters that will help minimize problems with leaking seams.
Call us today at (815) 459-1750 or fill out our contact form for a free, no-obligation quote. We serve residents of Rockford, IL, and the surrounding areas.