If you’ve lived in Iowa for a while, you’ve seen some heavy snow days. It’s not uncommon for snowstorms to bring 10 or more inches tumbling down in a single day. While this may delight school-aged kids who get the day off to build forts and snowmen, it can be distressing for homeowners—especially if they’re unsure how much snow their roof can safely hold.
Most Iowa homes are designed to withstand between 20 and 30 pounds of snow per square foot. However, it’s not easy to tell how much snowfall it takes to reach that threshold. Your roof may safely accommodate up to 12 or even 15 inches of light, fluffy, snow, but if it’s heavy and wet, just 4 to 6 inches might be enough to cause damage. In Iowa, that means a single storm can put pressure on your roof. Roofs that are older, flat, or have low slopes are especially vulnerable to heavy snow loads.
Snow isn’t the only challenge that winter brings to your roof; ice dams can also wreak havoc. Ice dams occur when snow on the roof is warmed by the interior air below, causing it to melt and run down to the roof edges. Since the edge of the roof extends beyond the interior space, the water can refreeze here, creating the impressive looking (but hazardous) icicles you can often see adorning Iowa roofs in winter.
The ice builds up, creating a barrier (or dam) that prevents the melting snow from draining safely off the roof. Instead, the trapped water can seep under shingles, damaging the roof and potentially infiltrating your home. For this reason, it’s important to not only keep up on regular roof maintenance but also to ensure your attic is well insulated and ventilated to prevent ice dams from forming.
Even though Iowa roofs are built to handle snow, they can become overloaded. If you’re noticing an unusually large buildup on your roof, you may be able to safely remove some of it from the ground with a snow rake or similar tool. If you have a multi-story home or otherwise can’t safely remove snow from your roof, be sure to call in a professional to assess the situation and, if necessary, remove the snow for you.
No matter how much or how little snow may be on your roof, if you notice these warning signs, call in a professional right away. They are indications that your roof is failing. Be sure to address these issues promptly to prevent further damage and the need for even more repairs.
Your best defense against snow load damage is proper maintenance. Use this fall roof checklist as a guide to prepare your home for winter.
Examine your roof from the ground, and notice any curling, cracking, missing granules, or missing shingles. These types of issues often occur following summer storms, which can damage shingles with hail and high winds. Get any damage fixed before the first freeze.
Inspect the flashing on your roof. This looks like thin metal sheets around chimneys, vents, and valleys. Any gaps or rust could allow water to work its way into your home as it freezes, thaws, and refreezes.
Clear all leaves and debris from your gutters before temperatures dip into freezing. Clogged gutters hold water longer, making it easier for ice dams to form! The weight of ice can also easily damage the gutters themselves, creating a premature need for replacement.
Ensure you have sufficient insulation and ventilation in the attic so heat is retained in the living space, keeping the attic space cold in winter. Not only will this save on your energy bills, but it will also help prevent ice dams and condensation in the attic. Attic condensation can look—and behave—like a roof leak, putting your home at risk for moisture-related problems like mold, mildew, and rot.
Check your ceilings and walls for water stains or peeling paint. These can indicate a roof leak or attic condensation problem.
Trim overhanging branches back from your roof before it snows. Snow and ice can easily build up on branches, weighing them down and sometimes breaking them off. When this happens, you don’t want them to come crashing onto your roof.
If you know of potential damage to your roof or notice any of the warning signs described above, it’s best to call a roofing professional to get it checked out before winter comes. Particularly if your roof is 15 years or older, it’s important to know if wear and tear have created vulnerabilities, exposing your home to water infiltration and all the headaches that brings. Getting ahead of problems is always cheaper and less stressful than dealing with sudden leaks in the middle of winter.
When you need a roofing professional, it's important to shop locally. Be aware of scammers who often show up after big storms, give deceptively low repair estimates, do subpar work, and then leave town. Hedrick is here year-round, year after year. The team at Hedrick treats our clients like the neighbors they are, and we stand behind our work 100%.
As a Central Iowa roofer since 2002, Hedrick Construction knows Iowa homes and Iowa weather. Our reputation lets you rest assured that we’ll give you an honest answer about whether your roof needs repairs, a replacement, or nothing at all.