The month of November is a critical period for repairs, as with temperatures dropping dramatically ahead of winter, it can be a period where weaknesses in your roof can be exposed.
The best way to prevent any problems is to get in touch with local flat roofing specialists to inspect your roof, schedule repairs quickly and ensure that your home is as protected as possible before winter starts.
With that in mind, here are some tips and tricks to stop snow and ice from causing damage to your roof that lingers far beyond February.
Clear The Roof And The Gutters
Most houses need to clear the gutters and drains of the leaves that have fallen throughout September and October, but homeowners with flat roofs need to be particularly mindful of the potential damage that decaying leaves can cause.
Wet leaves can freeze and collect on a roof, which can add extra weight that can accumulate over time, causing dips and waves on the roofline if enough builds up. These dips can also create pools of standing water that can exacerbate structural issues.
Clogged gutters can cause runoff, ice dams and the build-up of mould, all of which are terrible news for your roof.
Thankfully, an afternoon of clearing leaves will make a world of difference and help prevent many immediate issues.
Book An Inspection
If there are already cracks or tears in your rooflining, the freeze-thaw cycle could cause them to expand, creating huge issues that can devastate your home if left long enough.
Take a look at your roof for any obvious issues, but also consider calling in a specialist to see if there are any issues you may have missed.
If any small repairs need fixing, get that done before winter starts to avoid the issue getting far worse and becoming far more difficult to safely fix.
Do Not Use Salt
The temptation is to lay salt on the roof, the same way you would a road, but this can be extremely damaging to many of the materials that make up your roof and lead to much costlier repairs.
Instead, consider roof heating systems that melt snow before it can successfully freeze on the surface itself. Alternatively, melt pellets or pucks suitable for your roof membrane can also be used to safely melt ice and reduce the need for more dangerous sweeping and cleaning.
Clear Ice Dams As Soon As Possible
For the most part, if the gutters are clear, the chances of ice dams forming will be significantly reduced, but during particularly harsh winter nights, it is possible that a mix of rain and snow could cause an ice dam to develop regardless.
In terms of de-icing measures, these should be prioritised, because they have the greatest risk of causing serious damage not only to your roof and the gutters but to the soil and foundations around your house if water is allowed to flow over the gutters rather than through them.
Similarly, if there is a lot of snow on your roof, use a plastic shovel or snow rake to clear some of it off to avoid placing structural stress on your roof.