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Many do not put much thought into their roof until they notice an issue with their homes protective cover. You may think between the shingles, leak barriers, and everything else you saw being installed that it is impervious to any damage. It is easy to fall for this common misconception as you have little reason to go up there and check it out. However, knowing what your roof is exposed to and how it is affected by these conditions can save you money in the long run. To help you develop a better understanding of your roofing and how to maintain it, our roofing experts have explained how winter affects your roof.
Snowfall: Snow accumulation can pose a dangerous threat to a roof and everything beneath it. Every cubic foot of fresh snow resting on your roofing system can add up to 20lbs to the weight it is already supporting. As the snow melts and refreezes, it becomes denser and increases each cubic foot’s weight up to 60lbs. While slanted roofs encourage the snow to fall off and distribute the weight better, flat roofs are left with the task of supporting hundreds of pounds of snow until it melts or is manually removed. If left unattended, it can crack supports and lead to a sagging system that needs to be entirely removed.
Freeze/Thaw: As the ice melts, the runoff can find its way into tiny cracks and become trapped. Once the temperatures drop, the water will freeze and expand, widening the opening and allowing water to leak into your Cherry Hill home’s roofing.
Thermal Shock: Since we live in an area where the temperature can drop into the single digits during the night and then hit the mid-40s by noon, thermal shock is a major threat to your roof. As the roof is quickly warmed and cooled, the molecules in the shingles and other materials will lose their tensile strength and lose the ability to expand and contract. Once they can no longer do so, they will become significantly more brittle and likely to crack as the temperatures drastically change.
Now that you have an understanding of the conditions that your roof deals with every winter, you are better prepared to detect when your roof may need a repair or maintenance. If you suspect that your roofing system has been damaged by the harsh winter weather, give Cherry Roofing and Siding a call and we will send a general contractor to inspect the roof in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Jan 26, 2015
