It’s only January, and already it’s been a winter to remember e in Georgia. Nearly everywhere in the state is recovering from record snowfall and ice totals after a recent storm, but it’s yet to be seen exactly how extensive damage from the event will be.
While homes in the Northeast are prepared for harsh winter weather, houses here in the Southeast aren’t used to experiencing many inches of snow and/or extended periods of heavy ice. At Accent Roofing, we’re gearing up for what’s certain to be an influx of calls here in north Georgia as residents begin to realize the full extent of damage to their homes and more specifically, to their roofs.
How damaging is ice? Here’s how ice can wreak havoc on your roof…yes, even here in Georgia.
- Ice dams
Ice dams are by far and away the most dangerous side effect of ice on roofs. They’re rare in climates like ours, but not unheard of. Particularly when temperatures hover at or below freezing for days and/or weeks at a time and a snowfall occurs, ice dams are more likely to form.
An ice dam is essentially a wall of ice that forms around the bottom edge of your roof. As snow behind it melts (or, in some cases, when it’s raining but there’s still a thick ice dam built up), water cannot drain properly off of the roof. Moisture can seep inside, shingles can be pushed up by the pressure, and structural damage can even result.
- Gutter Damage
Our gutters are far more important than we give them credit for. Without functional gutters, water can’t efficiently make its way off of your roof and away from your foundation. Ice poses a lot of threats to your gutters, particularly if you’ve fallen behind on cleanings.
The weight of ice can cause your gutters to pull away from their attachments. It can bend them and warp them, making waterflow inefficient. Ice can even encourage premature rust as moisture sits inside your gutters for weeks at a time.
- Excessive Weight
Weight isn’t just an issue for your gutters, it’s an issue for your entire roofing system. Northern roofs are designed to accommodate for the heavy weight of snow; southern roofs, comparatively, are typically not constructed to withstand the heavyweight of winter precipitation.
That’s not to say that a single snow or ice storm will cause your roof to collapse! What’s more problematic – and more likely – is the slow build-up of ice or snow over a long period of time, for example, during winter with particularly long cycles of ice/melt.
Winter isn’t the enemy…ice is! Roof damage can happen quicker than you think, and the forecast is calling for a cold winter throughout the southeast. If you suspect your roof may have sustained damage after the recent ice and snow even in Georgia, reach out to your friends at Accent Roofing today.
We can even help you sort out whether or not ice damage is covered by your insurance policy!
