Ice Dam Prevention: How To Deal With Snow On Your CT Roof

For practical reasons, residential roofing styles tend to vary by location. Most Connecticut homes and other areas that are affected by snow have sloped (pitched) roofs to decrease the amount of snow buildup; however, it is nearly impossible to prevent snow from accumulating during high magnitude storms.

Snow Buildup On Your Roof

If you find that there is an excessive amount of snow on your roof, you may need to have it removed. There are two main problems often associated with snow buildup on CT roofs. First, the weight of the snow can cause structural damage to your home, and second, water damage can occur as the snow melts.

If you have an old roof (over 10 years old) you should definitely have some, if not all, of the snow removed to prevent your roof from collapsing. Connecticut roofing and siding contractors have the tools and experience required to safely knock snow off.  Climbing on slippery, pitched roofs is dangerous and we do not recommend that you attempt it yourself.  

Icicles | Ice Dam Prevention

When the temperatures heat up and melting snow runs down your pitched roof until it reaches the edge, it can refreeze. CT roof edges are colder than the rest of the roof, leading to the formation of beautiful icicles; however, you shouldn't let their appearance deceive you. When snow melts and refreezes it prevents your roof and gutter system from properly draining. 

If your gutters are filled with ice and your roof cannot drain, the only place for the water to go is into your home. Check your attics and walls for water spots, if you notice that your ct gutters are blocked with ice. If water is dripping inside your home, you can anticipate mold growth and structural damage if the situation is not remedied. You can hire professionals to dehumidify the areas most affected by leaks.

Ice dams can damage your roof shingles. Water expands as it freezes, so if water seeps behind your roof shingles, it will exert an upward force on your roof shingles as it freezes. Luckily, insurers do typically cover roof repair that is preceded by ice damming.

Effects on Basement/Foundation

When the snow starts to melt, be sure to check that melted snow flows away from your foundation. The foundation of your home is porous, so if snow accumulates around the outside of your house, it can drip into the foundation as it melts. Following this, if the temperature drops, the liquid water will freeze and expand to create a crack in your home's foundation. So, try to keep snow at least three feet away from your home.

Insurance Restoration

Insurers generally cover storm-related roof repairs, but many insurers will reject claims for water damage unless you can prove regular roof maintenance. Water damage in the basement is not covered unless you have a separate flood insurance policy. The cost of a new roof is higher than roof repair so insurers expect you to hire professionals to conduct regular roof inspections.