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While most properties are built to withstand exposure to all kinds of natural elements and weather, some homeowners find themselves in a heap of trouble when they ignore the signs that colder weather could be damaging their roof, and risking the structural integrity of their home. After all, a build-up of snow or ice on your roof not only increases the chances of damp seeping through into your insulation and attic, but can also expose you to the threat of collapse, and ice dams.<\/p>\n
Snow Can Cause a Roof to Collapse<\/strong><\/p>\n As festive and beautiful as snow might appear on your rooftop, every square foot of white adds additional weight to the structure responsible for keeping you and your family protected from the elements. As the snow begins to melt, or sleet and ice continue to pack the snow down, the weight continues to increase. In some estimates, experts have predicted that only 24 inches of snow could lead to the addition of up to 19 tons of weight on an average roof.<\/p>\n If you have a pretty significant amount of snowfall on your roof, then you’ll need to clear the excess weight away as quickly as possible to avoid the threat of collapse and keep your roof safe. It’s best to turn to experts for this process, rather than attempting to complete the job yourself, as it can be very dangerous.<\/p>\n The Threat of Ice Dams<\/strong><\/p>\n Another risk that snow represents to the average roof in the UK, is the potential that it could create ice dams. These dams occur over the outer edge of the roofing when warm air within your attic melts the snow atop your roof. That melted snow freezes once it reaches the outer edge of the roof before it can be carried away by your guttering. The result can be standing water that causes significant damage to shingles and other roofing materials.<\/p>\n If you begin to notice icicles in the gutters around the edge of your home, this could be a sign that you’re suffering from ice dams, and you should seek assistance as quickly as possible to minimise your risk of catastrophic damage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Snow and ice are a common feature of the winter months in the UK, and indeed around the world, but it’s important to know how to deal with a build-up of these substances on your roof if you want to protect your home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2397,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,14],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n