How to Get Your Roof Ready for Winter
Stamford winters bring snow and ice. The Connecticut State Building Code lists Stamford at a 30 psf ground snow load and requires ice barrier underlayment on roofs statewide. Ice dams form when heat from the house melts snow that refreezes at the eaves.
Prepare the Roof Before Winter
Get ahead of the cold
Have leaves cleared from gutters and valleys in late fall so meltwater can run off. Ask a contractor to check attic insulation and ventilation, since a warm attic melts snow unevenly, and to confirm ice barrier underlayment at the eaves.
Spot the warning signs
Thick icicles, ridges of ice along the eaves, water stains on upper walls or ceilings after a thaw, and heavy drifts on low or flat sections are warning signs. Never chip ice off a roof.
When an ice dam leaks inside
If water drips inside during a thaw, catch it, move belongings and stay off the roof. Call a roofing contractor to assess the damage, especially when snow is heavy or water is near light fixtures or wiring.
Call about an ice dam before water damage spreads.
Have leaves cleared from gutters and valleys in late fall so meltwater can run off. Ask a contractor to check attic insulation and ventilation, since a warm attic melts snow unevenly, and to confirm ice barrier underlayment at the eaves.
Spot the warning signs
Thick icicles, ridges of ice along the eaves, water stains on upper walls or ceilings after a thaw, and heavy drifts on low or flat sections are warning signs. Never chip ice off a roof.
When an ice dam leaks inside
If water drips inside during a thaw, catch it, move belongings and stay off the roof. Call a roofing contractor to assess the damage, especially when snow is heavy or water is near light fixtures or wiring.
Call about an ice dam before water damage spreads.