How to Battle Ice and Snow Accumulation on Your Roof

Ice and snow buildup is one of the most common problems homeowners have to deal with during winter. In this blog, roofing and window replacement expert V. Nanfito Roofing and Siding, Inc., takes a look at how best to battle ice and snow accumulation.

Know Your Roof’s Maximum Load

Modern roofs are built with a calculated maximum load. Of course, residential roofs are not intended to allow things to be placed on it. Still, knowing the maximum load for your roof can be helpful, especially when calculating how many roofers can stand on a roof when conducting repairs, or in this case, how many inches of snow it can hold without collapsing. It’s worth noting that ice load is different from snow load; one inch of ice exerts about 5 lbs per square foot, while an inch of snow exerts a mere 0.25 lbs per square foot in comparison.

Address Attic Insulation Issues

Proper insulation is a big factor when it comes to choosing exterior components, whether it’s replacement windows or roofing. In the case of the latter, insufficient attic insulation can allow heat to radiate through the roof. This raises the roof temperature above freezing, which melts any ice or snow. The resulting water then flows down the roof, refreezing as it reaches the roof edge and leading to the formation of ice dams and icicles that can damage the roof edge and gutters. The icicles can also cause injuries if someone happens to be under them as they break off. Making sure the attic has sufficient insulation before winter sets in helps prevent ice dams and icicles from forming.

Switch to Steep-Slope Roofing

If your roof is up for replacement and the budget allows for rebuilding the roof structure, choose a roof shape with a steeper slope. Steep-slope roofs are more efficient at keeping ice and snow from accumulating on the roof plane, and you can easily remove accumulated snow from the gutters if needed.

Capable roofing and window companies like ours can help you deal with ice and snow buildup. To learn more about our services, call V. Nanfito Roofing and Siding today at (203) 639-1634. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation.