Snow & Ice On Your Roof

Snow & Ice on Your Roof, What Homeowners Should Know

Snow and Ice on the Roof:

When temperatures stay below freezing, snow or ice on your roof usually isn’t a problem. Issues typically start when there’s excessive weight or when snow begins to melt and refreeze repeatedly.

 *Why Melting Happens Unevenly:

Your home stays warm inside, and since heat rises, the center of your roof warms first. This causes snow to melt there before other areas.

Roof edges and overhangs (eaves) extend past the heated part of your home, staying colder. As water runs down and hits these colder areas, it refreezes.

 *How Ice Dams Form:

Over time, especially overnight, this melting and refreezing creates a buildup of ice along the roof edges, known as an ice dam.

Ice dams block water from draining properly, forcing it back under shingles where it can enter the attic and interior of the home.

 *Why Leaks Don’t Always Show Where the Problem Is:

Water can travel along beams or rafters before showing up as a stain or drip. That means the visible leak may not be directly below the actual roof issue, and the roof itself may not have been damaged before the storm.

 *When It’s a Roof Issue:

If leaks only happen during snow or ice events, ice damming is likely the cause.

If leaks happen every time it rains, there may be an existing roof issue that needs attention.

 *How 2-H Construction Can Help:

2-H Construction would love to inspect your roof after the recent ice storm or address any concerns you’ve noticed over time. We’ll recommend the most cost-effective solution to protect your most valuable asset, your home.