Winter weather can be very unpredictable — while one year may only see a few inches of snowfall, another year may see many feet of snow. That’s why it’s important to never become complacent about keeping your house protected against the ravages of harsh winter weather.
One of the most important aspects of protecting your house during wintry periods is to make sure that snow isn’t collecting on your roof. Snow on the roof can lead to a number of hazards—the most prominent of which is the risk of a collapsed roof. However, there are other, less well-known dangers that can be equally damaging to your home.
Here are some of the dangers presented by rooftop snow and ice buildup:
- Collapsed roof. As snow builds up, it begins to exert a lot of pressure on your roof. Eventually, when the weight of the snow is greater than the carrying capacity of your roof, the roof collapses.
- Damage to the interior walls of your home. If your roof isn’t properly sealed, the snow can begin to seep into cracks and run down the walls of your house. This can result in thousands of dollars of damage.
- Ice dams. After heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures, the heat from your home can cause the ice and snow on your roof to melt and flow into your eaves, where it refreezes. This can lead to a backup of ice on your roof, and can cause cracks that allow seepage into the home.
- Falling snow and ice pose a risk to pedestrians. Many Americans are injured every year from falling snow and ice. What’s more, homeowners can be held accountable for those injuries if they didn’t take precautions to keep their rooftop clear.
Thousands of people injure themselves every year when they get on their rooftops and attempt to remove the snow. Fortunately, there are alternatives to risking your health—if you’re ready to winter-proof your home the safe and convenient way, contact Heat Trace Specialists at (877) 244-1055.