Central Virginia, while not known for excessive winters, still gets a fair amount of snow and ice every year. Regardless of how much or which type of snowfall we receive, both can be very heavy on roofs and gutters, putting your home at risk of severe damage each winter.
Keep reading as we discuss the dangers of heavy snow on our roofs and gutters and how you can minimize the risk of severe damage this winter.
The Dangers of Heavy Snow on Your Roof
Snow can be heavy. Wet snow can weigh around 20 pounds per cubic foot. That’s heavy, especially when you think about how much snow we can receive per snowfall. Imagine if Central Virginia got 10 inches of wet, heavy snow in a given snowstorm – that snow would cover your roof and gutters, putting extreme pressure on them. Depending on the pitch and slope of your roof, your roof and gutters could see more damage as a result of heavy snow.
Knowing how much snow can weigh, let’s discuss the dangers of heavy snow on your roof. First, heavy snow can put extreme pressure on your roof, causing it to collapse. A roof collapse can put your family at risk of severe damage to your home and safety. While roof collapses are rare, they can occur.
Next, your home is susceptible to interior leaks caused by heavy snow on your roof. When temperatures begin to warm up at the end of winter, or when we experience those random milder days, snow on a roof will start to melt. When the snow melts, it can find its way into improperly sealed shingles and trickle into your home, causing leaks in the walls and ceiling. Interior leaks can lead to expensive repairs and mold which can be detrimental to your family’s health.
The Dangers of Heavy Snow on Your Gutters
Roofs and gutters work together to prevent drainage issues. Sometimes the snow on a roof melts and that meltwater makes its way into the gutter system and sometimes snow can transfer from the roof and onto the gutters. However it gets there, heavy snow on gutters can pose many risks.
Your gutter system is a risk of sagging and tearing away from the home depending on the type of gutter system you have. Traditional, half-round gutters and many “complete” gutter systems can’t support the weight of heavy snow, ultimately tearing away from the home, damaging the gutters and soffit and fascia boards. It doesn’t take much snow to make the average gutter system sag or tear away from the home.
Your gutter system is also a risk of forming ice dams. Ice dams can cause damage like leaking roofs, damaged shingles, possible mold, etc.
What Can I Do to Prevent Damage to My Roof and Gutters from Heavy Snow this Winter?
While costly damage can occur to your roof and gutter system as a result of heavy snow, some things can aid in preventing damage. For one, keep an eye on your roof to ensure there isn’t too much snow that builds up. As previously mentioned, snow can weigh 20 pounds per cubic foot. You’ll want to make sure your roof doesn’t have too much snow sitting on it after a snowstorm. If you know your roof is not capable of handling that much weight and is ready to be replaced, contact Home Evolutions VA for a free estimate! You can also contact professional snow removal services to safely remove the snow from your roof.
For gutters, be sure they’re clean. Gutters that have twigs, leaves, and other debris in them are prone to clogs and prevent the flow of meltwater from passing through the gutter system. Once they’re clean, consider having your home checked for air leaks and insulation issues. Having excessive heat loss from your roof can also cause icicles to form.
The best thing you can do to prevent damage from occurring to your gutters as a result of heavy snow is to install the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System. Installing the K-Guard Gutter System on your home will prevent ice dams from forming on your roof and will help prevent ice build-up. K-Guard has a curved hood that allows for all forms of precipitation—including heavy snow—to simply slide off of the gutters, preventing heavy snow from collecting in the first place. The trough support also prevents the gutter system from ever sagging, even when heavy snow is a threat.
To install the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System, contact our team of professionals today. K-Guard is the premiere gutter company in the United States, providing a leaf-free gutter solution for homeowners for many years. Schedule your free estimate today!
