As homeowners across North America brace for winter storms, many wonder if the snow and ice can create problems not just for driving, but also for their home. In fact, a buildup of snow and ice on a roof can exert vertical loads on a roof 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.
Even worse, an ice dam can 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 resort 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.
Want to eliminate worries about snow and ice on your home? Install a metal roof– they’re perfect for cold weather climates!
By design, metal roofs shed snow quicker than most roofing materials. When the sun shines, its heat passes through the snow, hits the metal, and is reflected back. Just like snow melting on the hood of a car, the sun heats up a metal roof, allowing snow to melt over the entire roof surface. As the ice and snow melt from the bottom on a metal roof, there is an increased rate of shedding.
To see what your home could look like with a metal roof, check out the MRA’s free online tool, My New Metal Roof at www.MetalRoofing.com