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Winter Problems Omaha Roofs Face

Roofs in the Omaha area can face significant challenges during the winter months. Wind, snow, and ice, can cause significant damage to your roof and home during the winter months. A blanket of snow on the roof may appear attractive, but it is putting significant strain on the structure itself, putting your people in danger. You cannot control the snow, but you should know how to seek assistance if you are concerned (and you should know how to spot those concerns as well).

What do Nebraska roofs go through in the winter?

The type of damage your roof is susceptible to during the winter months is determined by where you live. Throughout the country, however, it is critical to pay attention to your home’s needs during this time. Throughout the season, there are a few key areas of concern to keep an eye on.

Icicles / Ice Dams

When it comes to roof safety during the winter months, an ice dam is one of the most common and serious concerns. If you have large icicles hanging from the edge of your roof or the eaves of your home, you have a major problem. These solid icicles are formed by a snow-covered roof and freezing weather. However, they also cause ice dams.

Ice dams are large, thick ridges of solid ice that form along the roof’s eaves. They can damage the roof shingles, pull down the gutters, and even cause water to back up into the house. When it rains, ice dams form under the shingles, creating pockets of moisture that can seep into the home’s roof and cause significant damage, including roof leaks. Ice dams can cause sagging ceilings, warped flooring, and peeling paint in your attic, among other issues.

Once an ice dam has formed, do not attempt to remove it by climbing up and pulling on it or striking it. Methods you might use to remove ice from your driveway aren’t recommended for removing ice dams, this includes using  melting agent (like salt) or scraping them off, as this is unlikely to make a significant difference and may harm your roof and gutters.

If installed prior to the start of the season, a prevention tool such as heated cables and heat tape could be beneficial. This melts the ice and prevents it from freezing, allowing the water to drain away from your structure. If you have ice dams, make sure to thoroughly inspect your home’s roof and attic space once they thaw and melt to detect any water damage early on. This is the most effective way to safeguard your roofing structure. 

If ice dams build up on your roof over the winter, this is a good indication that your roof or your attic need some maintenance. Most often ice dams build up on homes that do not have proper insulation in the attic or top floor of the house. Ice dams can cause significant damage to you roof and gutters, if you notice ice dams, schedule a spring roof inspection to make sure your roof is still able to keep water out of your attic. 

Side view of ice dam build up on Omaha Home in winter

Snow accumulation on roof

Everyone in Omaha knows how long and snowy the winters can be. Fresh snow can weigh up to three pounds per square foot. This is the type that is light and fluffy. Wet snow can weigh up to 21 pounds per square foot. While light, fluffy snow may be fine for most roof structures in good overall condition, heavy snow, especially if more than a few inches is piled onto the structure, is unlikely.

It is important to remember that homes in areas with heavy snowfall need to be built to withstand the weight of that snowfall. The only time you should be concerned about snow load is if there is significantly more snow than typical for the season, or if there are multiple warm days between snowfall and your roof doesn’t shed the snow during the warmer days. This can lead to multiple layers of the snow becoming ice under the new snowfall.

It is not always safe to attempt to remove heavy snow from your roof on your own. If you are concerned about the roof collapsing due to weight, such as on an older structure or a roof that needs repair, call a roof technician to assist you. Many have specialized equipment that can assist in reducing the amount of snow on the roof without endangering you.

It’s difficult to avoid this risk, especially during a snowstorm. However, in some cases, the use of heat tape or rope on the roof structure may be beneficial. It aids in the melting of snow as it falls on the roof. They may provide some risk reduction to the structure.

House with wood siding covered in snow with half round gutters installation by local roofing company

Blocked gutters

During the fall months, many homeowners take the time to clean out their gutters. This is significant because this is the most likely time of year for gutters to become clogged. Even after you’ve cleaned these areas, debris can still get into them. This is one of the most important reasons to install gutter guards, as it will aid in the early elimination of this problem.

However, if your gutters are currently clogged, you must exercise extreme caution when attempting to clear them. This increases your chances of being involved in an accident. On a dry day with no risk of slipping, you can try to remove material from the gutters. Consider hiring a professional to assist you with this process as well.

Ice packed gutters

Gutters typically fill with ice when there is a blockage. As a result, instead of flowing down them, the water backs up. When this happens, ice forms and eventually items like twigs and leaves back up, causing the gutters to fill with a significant amount of ice. This, combined with the freezing temperatures, renders water flow impossible over time.

When you have gutters like this, do not put salt directly on them because it will not help in most cases and will corrode the gutters. If you need to get them flowing again, you can use hot water or a roof rake to aid in the process.

All over home heat loss

Heat loss is another issue for most homeowners during the winter. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including structural damage to the home. Heat loss is frequently caused by air leaks or small spaces in the home that allow heated air to escape.

Windows in the winter

During the winter, windows are a common source of heat loss. Even if the windows are closed and locked, air leaks may occur if the seals around the windows have even minor gaps. Run your hand along the inside and outside of the windowsill to find these. If you detect any cold air, it could be an indication of a leak that needs to be repaired.

The same can be said for doors. If a door is not properly sealed, small amounts of air can escape. Another method for checking for door leaks is to wait until it is dark and then have someone stand outside the door with a flashlight. Move the flashlight along the door’s seams, including any window frames. If you see light coming through, it means there is an air leak here as well.

Air leaks through the roof

Though it is not safe to search for them on the roof, you can do so if you have an attic space. Look for areas where light is leaking through the roof shingles once more. This could be cause for concern. A licensed professional roof contractor should inspect your roof for missing shingles or structural damage.

Keep a close eye on these areas. Being proactive about them may help you avoid financial loss during the winter months due to structural issues.

In This Article...

Key Takeaways

Common winter issues that impact Omaha Roofs that can cause serious roof damage

  • Heat loss: Your home can lose a ton of heat though your roof, make sure your attic is properly insulated
  • Icicle build up: known as ice dams, can cause major damage to your roof, if you have large ice dams this winter, schedule a roof inspection in the spring
  • Blocked gutters: blocked with ice or blocked with debris, this can cause water to enter your attic at the roof line

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