Roof Damage

February 7 2023

How To Avoid Ice Dams On Your Roof

Preventing ice dams is crucial to protecting your home from water damage and costly repairs to your roof.

What Is An Ice Dam?

An ice dam is a wall of ice that forms along the roof edge of a building, causing a blockage of melting snow and ice from flowing off the roof. This can result in serious damage to the roof, walls, and ceilings, as well as causing leaks and water damage to the interior of the building.

Here are some tips to avoid ice dams on your roof:

Insulate your attic: Keeping your attic well-insulated can reduce the amount of heat that escapes from your home and melts snow on the roof, which can then freeze into ice dams.
Ventilate your attic: Proper ventilation can help keep the temperature in your attic closer to the outside temperature, reducing the risk of heat buildup that can melt snow on the roof.
Seal air leaks: Air leaks around roof penetrations, such as chimneys, skylights, and vents, can let warm air escape into the attic and cause snow to melt on the roof. Seal these air leaks to prevent ice dams from forming.
Keep gutters and downspouts clean: Clogged gutters and downspouts can prevent melting snow from draining properly, causing it to freeze and form ice dams. Keep your gutters and downspouts clear of debris.
Install heat cables: Installing heat cables on your roof can help prevent ice dams from forming. The cables are designed to melt snow and ice, keeping the water from freezing and backing up under the shingles.
Remove snow from the roof: If you have a flat or low-pitched roof, remove snow from the roof after every storm to reduce the amount of snow and ice that can accumulate and cause ice dams.

3G Home Exteriors can help you prevent ice dams by inspecting your roof and recommend a solution that will prevent damage to your roof or costly roof repairs. Contact us today to get a free inspection.

December 30 2022

Protect Your Roof From Snow And Ice Damage

adminmph Roof Damage

Snow and ice can be a beautiful and enjoyable part of winter, but they can also cause serious damage to your roof. When left unchecked, snow and ice can lead to costly roof repairs and even roof collapse. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the ways in which snow and ice can damage your roof and what you can do to prevent it.

One of the main ways in which snow and ice can damage your roof is through the process of ice damming. Ice damming occurs when melting snow flows down the roof and then refreezes at the edge of the roof or in the gutters. As the ice dam grows, it can trap water on the roof, which can then seep under shingles and into the roof structure. This can lead to leaks, rot, and other damage to the roof and the interior of your home.

Another way in which snow and ice can damage your roof is through the weight of the snow itself. When snow accumulates on your roof, it can put a lot of stress on the structure. This is especially true for roofs that are flat or have a low pitch. If the snow gets too heavy, it can cause the roof to collapse, which can be catastrophic. Even if the roof doesn’t collapse, the weight of the snow can still cause damage by stressing the roof’s structure and causing it to sag or deform.

In addition to the physical damage that snow and ice can cause, they can also create opportunities for water to enter your home. As we mentioned earlier, ice damming can lead to leaks, but even without ice damming, snow and ice can create openings for water to enter your home. For example, if snow and ice accumulate in your gutters and downspouts, it can block the flow of water and cause it to back up onto the roof. This can lead to leaks and other damage to your roof and home.

So, what can you do to protect your roof from snow and ice damage?

Here are a few tips:

Keep your roof clear of snow and ice. This may seem obvious, but it’s important to make sure that you remove snow and ice from your roof regularly during the winter. You can use a roof rake to remove snow from the roof, or hire a professional to do it for you. It’s important to be careful when removing snow and ice, as you don’t want to damage the roof or cause any other accidents.
Insulate and ventilate your attic. Proper insulation and ventilation can help prevent ice damming by keeping the temperature in your attic consistent. This can help prevent melting snow from refreezing on your roof.
Keep your gutters clean. As we mentioned earlier, clogged gutters and downspouts can cause water to back up onto your roof and lead to leaks and other damage. Make sure to keep your gutters clean and clear of debris to help prevent this from happening.
Repair any damage to your roof. If you notice any damage to your roof, such as missing or damaged shingles, it’s important to have it repaired as soon as possible. This can help prevent further damage from occurring and can help protect your home from leaks and other problems.
Consider a roof snow and ice melting system. In Michigan you may want to consider installing a roof snow and ice melting system. These systems use heat to melt snow and ice on the roof, which can help prevent ice damming and other problems.

In conclusion, snow and ice can be a serious threat to your roof. If left unchecked, they can cause costly damage and even lead to roof collapse but 3G Home Exteriors is here to help. Contact us today for a free quote on heat cables for your roof.

September 6 2022

What To Do If Your Roof Has Storm Damage

adminmph roof, Roof Damage

Your home’s first line of defense against the weather is its roof. In Michigan you can’t really predict when bad weather may affect your house or damage your roof. It’s crucial to know exactly what to do if your home’s roof sustains damage so that you can proceed properly.

What Should You Do If You Think Your Roof May Have Been Damaged?

1. Examine the harm.

When severe weather strikes, the first thing to do is to evaluate the damage. You can discuss your needs with your insurance provider or roofing contractor and prevent unforeseen costs or disputes by using approximate damage assessments. (Since this can typically only be done in broad daylight, in some circumstances you might prefer to proceed directly to step #2 after evaluating the damage.)

Use a pair of binoculars to inspect your roof and spot any damaged areas. Avoid going on the roof as there may be unseen damage or weak spots. Calculate the area in square feet overall as well as the precise details of the affected region. Keep in mind the extent of the damage, and take a close look to check for any spots where shingles are missing. Sometimes there will only be a few random shingles missing.

Keep a record of all exposed or visible items. Keep an eye out for any plywood, tarpaper, or the edges of missing shingles that may be exposed. Make a note of the material’s color and its general shade. (The color of the shingle will be stamped on the end of a package of extra shingles from a previous roof replacement project.)

2. To reduce property damage, implement temporary solutions.

A severely damaged roof might cause interior property damage if it is located directly above a living space. You stop further inside damage, make sure to remove any valuables from the area and place a bucket or rubbish can under leaks. Smaller repairs can be made right away using shingling, but more significant damage may require rapid waterproofing using a strapped tarping technique.

3. Get in touch with a reputable roofing contractor.

If you choose to work with a private roofing contractor like 3G, make sure they are a licensed, experienced, and a qualified roofer. Avoid working with contractors that have relocated due to a natural disaster. Storm-following traveling contractors may offer subpar services because they have no reputation to uphold.

4. If a roof repair is required, speak with your insurance provider.

Call your insurance provider. Determine whether the damage is significant enough to be covered by home insurance or whether hiring a contractor directly would be more cost-effective for any required repairs. It can be advantageous to use your homeowner’s insurance after a storm when big residential areas are affected by a storm or other severe weather because contractors may get busy. If you call 3G Home Exteriors our licensed roofers will work directly with your adjuster to make sure all damage is discovered and repaired appropriately.

Get A Free Roof Damage Inspection

If you see any of these symptoms or have concerns about your roof please call the professionals at 3G Home Exteriors. We offer a free roof examination if you see any of these symptoms or have concerns about your roof.