SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- While snow and ice look picturesque on rooftops, too much of it could cause damage to your roof.
Caleb Breitenbach, owner of Honest Abe Roofing in South Bend, states that older homes are more at risk of structural damage because of snow and ice buildup.
The process of thawing and refreezing can lead to leaks inside your home as the roof and other accessories weaken and crack. As temperatures remain below freezing, icicles begin to form, especially in homes with poor insolation.
“Ventilation is huge with roofs,” Breitenbach says. We want to keep the attic as close to the temperature as it is outside, whether it's the summer or the winter.” Icicles form as warm air from inside escapes from the roof or attic, melting the snow, Breitenbach explains. As it flows down to the eaves, the melted snow refreezes into icicles, forming and pulling on the gutters.
For homeowners looking to clear snow and ice from their roofs, the safest method is to clear as much off from the ground as possible, using a snow removal shovel. Breitenbach also urges people to call professionals to avoid injury.