A roof covered in snow may be beautiful during the winter months, but it can be a serious risk to your home. Heavy snow and ice commonly causes roofs to collapse around Duluth. Because Duluth generally gets more snow than the Twin Cities, it is important to keep an eye on how much snow is accumulating on top of your roof to prevent damage.
Snow removal…even a little snow can cause tons of damage
Every roof is different–some can handle a lot of snow, while others experience damage and structural issues only after a few inches. As little as 6 inches of snow packed on to your roof can lead to sizable damage to your home, inside and out. 6 inches does not seem like a lot, but 6 inches of snow on top of your roof can equal out to thousands of pounds of extra weight and pressure. In fact, just 1 inch of snow mixed with ice can weigh as much as 12 inches of snow. All that stress can lead to partial roof collapses or entire roof collapses.
It is important to try to get snow removed from your roof when there is around 5-6 inches of snow cover. Roof collapses are common and extremely expensive: it is better to be safe than sorry!
Ice Dams
Even if the massive amount of snow on top of your roof doesn’t cause a cave-in, it can still melt. Sunny days and escaping heat from your home can make the snow melt, which can create an ice dam. Ice dams cause damage to your shingles, gutters, and even the interior of your home. If you start to find ugly, brown stains around the inside of your house, it is a dead giveaway for snow dam damage. It is important to fix your roof as soon as you notice interior or exterior changes to prevent any further damage.
Eastside Exterior has over 25 years of experience–we can help!
Removing ice dams properly can be dangerous and requires the tools and the right education. Our team at Eastside Exteriors has over 25 years of experience removing ice dams from homes in the Minneapolis region. We are professional exterior contractors who specialize in siding, windows, and roofing so you can rest assured that your roof is in good hands.
If you have an ice dam, call our office (612)619-5728 today!
