How to Stop Ice Dam Damage on Your Roof

Nature could be relentless in your roof throughout the heavy snowfalls. Snow could be greatly heavy because of the big area of the roof. Sometimes snow can consider to 30 LB per sq . ft .. On the 1500-square-feet house having a roof area of 1600 sq ft, that’s 48,000 Pounds or 24 tigers in your roof! Since the weight can increase because the snow touches and refreezes to ice, known as “Ice Dam”, it is crucial to get rid of the ice and snow as quickly as possible.

Ice dams occur once the warmth inside your loft touches the snow in your roof. The snow touches and builds up in the roof finishes or inside gutters, then refreezes. This method can reoccur leading to the ice to develop for the peak of the roof and underneath your shingles. When the ice works its in place beneath your shingles, they are able to melt leading to a waterfall within the interior of in your house. This is often avoided by using the steps below:

1.Be sure that your gutters are washed following the leaves fall and before winter.

2.Be sure that your home has sufficient ventilation and insulation.

3.Take away the snow in the finishes of the roof using a roof rake. Take away the snow no less than 4 ft in the gutters to the top level from the roof anytime it snows over 4-6 inches. Roof rakes could be bought at local hardware stores for roughly $20-$40. b.Local do it yourself companies provide this particular service. Prices can differ from $95-$400 with respect to the home. Make sure the company’s references, because picking the incorrect company could damage your homes roof.

4.Applying Calcium Chloride within the ice may cause the ice dam to melt. This really is safe for the shrubbery and grass. Sodium Chloride, (table salt) may cause damage. Safety factors are from the utmost important with this particular step since the ice could melt on your ladder and refreeze around the steps leading to

Metal Roofing in Semi-Arid Climates

Semi-arid climates exist in several regions of the U.S. including the Great Plains, Texas, New Mexico and parts of Nevada, Washington and Oregon. This climate type exists between desert and humid climate zones, and so the regions around these areas experience very different weather. Weather in semi-arid climate zones is characterized by its extreme temperature range. As those in these regions know Winter temperatures can drop below zero (Fahrenheit) and Summer temperatures can reach the lower 100's. Precipitation varies widely depending on the exact region, but most can expect about  10-20 inches of rain annually. Rain is very unpredictable in these regions, as exhibited by the Colorado floods experience in late September, 2013.

Knowledge of your climate zone is important when deciding on what type of roofing material you will choose for your home. Some roofing materials are designed specifically for the weather experienced in a specific region and because of this it should be avoided in opposite climate zones. Homeowners in semi-arid regions really need to be ready for all types of weather- snow, flooding rains and hot dry periods. Roofing materials used in this region need to be able to put up with the extremes of each seasons, and metal is a great option. Metal roofing has outstanding durability and withstands all environmental pressures-- perfect for these crazy climates.

Metal roofing materials have been very popular in cool climates due to the way snow and ice fall easily from them, but not until more recently have roofing contractors in semi-arid regions started to use them on new roof installation projects. There are many benefits to using this excellent roofing material. In the dry, hot Summer season, metal roofing reflects the sun saving homeowners hundreds of dollars in energy costs to cool their homes. More common materials absorb around 70% of the sun's radiation which increases the internal temperature of the home, and drastically increases the cost of running cooling systems. Also, the metal materials are able to withstand the Sun's UV rays without degrading like asphalt shingles do. Metal roofing can last up to 50 years with little to no annual maintenance.