We hope all of our fellow Texans are getting through this snowy week. We have all been impacted by this snowstorm in one way or another. We’re elated to see our communities coming together to help one another. The coming weeks will be continue to be a challenge for some as the ice thaws out. While we were all inside trying to survive, roofs across the state took a beating. Texas roofs are not designed to handle so much snow all at once.
Texas is not known for winter snow. The last time Texas received snow anywhere near this past week was in 2011 and 1989 before that. Simply put, we are not prepared for this type of weather in Texas. Our homes are built to keep heat out. The roofs are not able to take the sudden pressure of snow. This primarily affects older roofs that don’t meet modern framing standards. Both of these factors can create cracks and leaks.
We don’t get a lot of snow here in Central Texas, but this is still a good piece of information to know. When heavy snow accumulates atop your home, it puts additional pressure on your roof, which can lead to cracks and leaks. This is a greater concern for older roof structures that may not meeting modern framing standards. Newer, properly-constructed roofs aren’t as vulnerable to snow weight.
When left unattended this ice, snow, and water can accumulate on your roof in a structure that forms over the days after a freeze. These structures are known as ice dams and they can wreak havoc on your home. Ice dams block water from draining from the roof. This water will pool and begin to soak in to your home. The water can then leak into your home causing water damage or cause weight damage to the roof. This can lead to mold and mildew that can impact your family’s health.
As you can see on the diagram adjacent, homes try to keep heat out in Texas and as the heat rises it cause this ice to melt at uneven rates. The best treatment is being proactive and knocking off icy debris off of your home safely – especially on the edges of the roof where icicles can accumulate and deteriorate paint or siding on your homes exterior walls. We hope this is not the case for you, but if you are experiencing roof issues and would like a professional to look, please contact us.
