December 29, 2010
By: Carrie Van Brunt
As many parts of the country have dealt with heavy snows over the past few weeks, experts say that more severe issues could come about if homeowners don't try and get some of the snow off of their roofs.
Experts told the news site Chippewa.com that heat from inside the home generally escapes through the roof, heating some of the snow above, which then refreezes on the shingles. If the ice continues to build up, then it can form an ice dam, which can begin to push water up the roof instead of going down - causing significant roof damage and leaks.
In addition to the damage from the leaks themselves, the site says that the dams can also cause mold damage because of the added moisture, creating even larger home insurance needs.
Ice can also put a significant amount of stress on the roof itself, which could lead to a collapse. While many states only require that homes be able to hold up under weights up to 40 pounds per square foot, data from the University of Wisconsin- Extension says that a foot of ice can create a weight of nearly 50 percent more than that.
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