The presence of snow and ice on a roof exerts vertical loads that can cause a roof to sag, or even fail. Although lightly packed powder snow weighs very little, slushy, wet snow can weigh over 62 pounds per square foot.
Like a beaver's dam, an ice dam can also form on the edge of a roof, preventing melted snow from draining off the roof. In some cases, the water backs up behind the dam, and leaks into the home, causing wall, ceiling and insulation damage.
Some homeowners have resorted to raking snow and ice off their roofs. While raking may provide a short term solution, it can also create long term problems, such as removal of shingles or damage to the roof deck, leading to leaks.
“Homes that have been damaged by this year's ice and snow would benefit from the installation of a durable metal roof. Not only will it protect your family for years to come, a metal roof sheds snow quickly and reduces the risk of damage from ice dams," states Bill Hippard, president of the Metal Roofing Alliance. “This is precisely why many log homes or vacation properties in heavy snow areas feature metal roofs.”
Although rare, ice dams can occur on a metal roof; however, they will be less destructive than on homes with other roof types. The interlocking nature of the panels, the strength of the metal and the underlayment used beneath metal roofs reduce the chance of melted snow and ice leaking into the home.
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