Now that winter is fast approaching, many homeowners may wonder: Can snow damage my roof?

The truth is that any form of water can be harmful for roofs, but when the temperature drops below freezing, water and snow can especially be a problem.

Let's say you get a sleety rain when the temperature is hovering around 35 degrees F. When night falls, the temperature may dip to 28 degrees F. Water can get into the smallest crevices and then freeze. When it freezes, it expands. As it warms up, more water is present, making the cracks bigger. The more often this freeze-thaw happens, a great deal of moisture gets into the shingles causing them to expand and wear out. Leaks can cause water damage and potential wood rot to the wooden framing underneath.

Heavy snow can also present some unique problems. Snow accumulation on your roof causes a great deal of stress which can weaken the entire roof. Different roofs have different configurations, which can cause snow to accumulate in higher levels due to blowing and drifting. This can cause as much as five times the amount of snow in certain areas of the roof. Areas where the roof meets a solid wall, or places where there is a lower roof or awning, can cause a greater accumulation of snow.

How do homeowners know when there is too much snow for their roof to bear?
According to yellowpages.ca, it depends on your location. In heavy snow areas, roofs are made to bear heavier accumulations of snow. However, a general benchmark for residential roofs is 8 cm (20 lb.) per square foot. If the roof slope is greater than 8 cm (3 inches) for every 31 cm (12 inches) of horizontal distance, melting snow should run off adequately. However, remember that new snow falling on top of old, packed snow weighs more which may make yesterday's packed snow twice as heavy.

What is an ice dam?
Ice dams form when the accumulated ice and snow on the roof melts but then freezes all along the edges and eaves of the roof. This edge of ice keeps water from running off the roof which can cause water to find its way under the roof shingles and even into the house. Large ice dams have been known to tear the rain gutters and flashing off the roof.

What can a homeowner do to address these problems?
Investing in an inexpensive snow rake will help in snow removal from the roof. For ice dams, homeowners may be able to use a hammer and chisel to chip away at the ice to loosen it. Remember to take the proper precautions when climbing a ladder, especially in icy weather.

Keep a Good Record
Creating a tracking record of visual assessments and matching them with a baseline, possibly with photographs, will help homeowners keep track of the cumulative damage done by weather over a period of time. This benchmark will help keep track of any changes occurring.

Joye Roofing offers a free, professional roof inspection>. Once we complete our inspection checklist, we will give you an estimate on any work which may be needed. Joye Roofing Columbia has an "A" rating with the Better Business Bureau, and tons of rave reviews> from past customers.

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We are happy for you to re-publish this article on your website or in your company newsletter with credit to Joye Roofing as the author and a link to our website https://www.joyeroofing.com/. The URL for this article is https://www.joyeroofing.com/roofing-disaster-restoration/does-snow-and-ice-impact-the-life-of-my-roof. Email us with any questions.

Many homeowners may wonder which time of the year they should choose to replace their roof. Most roofing contractors work year-round, however, there are some logical reasons why picking the time of year for your roofing job makes sense in terms of budget and materials. Of course, geography places an important role in this decision, but if you live in an area that allows roof replacement all year long, there are some considerations to keep in mind to get the most bang for your buck.

The average roof replacement cost in the US ranges from $4,000 to $6,000.
The contractors in your area may have a busy season and slow season. During the slow season, you may be able to negotiate a better price, save money on materials, and experience a faster starting time.

The consensus is that the busiest time of the year for roofing contractors seems to be late summer through the fall. Often homeowners realize that winter weather is ahead and want to replace their roof before cold weather hits. The cooler fall temperatures can allow roofers to work longer hours and makes installation easier. Asphalt shingles need to be installed when the temperature is 40 degrees F or higher. In colder weather the sealing strip may not adhere properly with the potential for invisible cracks. However, because this is the busiest time of year for roof replacements, contractors may raise their prices as much as 5 - 15%. Also, longer starting times occur because of the glut of business.

The spring months are also a busy time for roofing contractors. Here again, the milder temperatures allow for longer work times and good conditions for asphalt shingles. Homeowners may experience higher costs and longer wait times during the spring. If spring time in your area is the rainy season, be aware this will affect the amount of time it will take to start or install your roof.

Summertime is a slow but steady time for roofers. The middle of summer may be problematic due to the high temperatures experienced. High heat and humidity can soften the asphalt in the shingles, making them less durable during installation. Also, there is the possibility of shingle damage if roofers are not careful with their nail gun, because nails can go through the shingles more easily. Roofers should also avoid walking on the roof in the high temperatures.

In some areas, winter time might be the best time to replace your roof. In cold climate materials can harden and become brittle or even crack during installation. Sealant application can be affected and it may take longer for shingles to adhere to each other.

However, in warmer climates, winter might be the best time to schedule a roof replacement. This is often a slow time for contractors and homeowners may be able to negotiate a better price and have a faster starting time, and installation quality may be higher. In fact, shingle manufacturers offer the same warranty as a roof installed during any other time of the year.

The bottom line is that the quality of installation is vital. Don’t wait until an emergency requires you to make a quick decision without proper research. Save time, money and stress by planning ahead. You may be able to schedule your roof replacement during the season of lower labor and material costs, and avoid long starting times.

A new roof is a major investment that impacts your home's outside appearance and the comfort of your home on the inside. Joye Roofing offers a free roof inspection. Our work will add to the value and beauty of your home. Check out our five star reviews on Google My Business and Facebook.
If you found this information helpful click "Like" or "Share" below and post this to your social media pages. Your "Likes" and "Shares" help others like you find the information they need.
We are happy for you to re-publish this article on your website or in your company newsletter with credit to Joye Roofing as the author and a link to our website JoyeRoofing.com. The URL for this article is https://www.joyeroofing.com/roofing-disaster-restoration/what-season-is-best-to-replace-my-roof. Email us with any questions.

What is the best way to choose a roofing company in Columbia?
Roofing companies in Columbia seem to fall into several categories. Many of the companies found in a Google search are construction companies who do roofing. These companies primarily do construction and remodeling. Some roofers are siding and gutter companies or window replacement companies who also do roofing repair or replacement. There are roofing companies that are satellite branches to construction companies based in other cities. Many of these companies do both commercial and residential roofing.
The number of years the company has been in business varies greatly. Then there are the locally-owned and operated roofing companies, like Joye Roofing, which are family owned who have been in business for many years.
Another difference found in researching roofing companies was the way they assess their customers' needs. Some companies will offer a free estimate before doing any work. Other companies will go even further and offer a free roof inspection. Some companies show warranties for their work, others do not.
Some companies offer multiple business ratings and recommendations. Others may show photographs of their work along with past customers' recommendations. Some companies show that they are fully licensed, bonded, and insured, others do not show this information. 

Below are some of the roofing companies found for the Columbia area along with some basic information about each.

• Joye Roofing is owned and operated locally in Columbia, SC by Derek Joye. We have been serving the Midlands for over 20 years. Past roofing customers give us a 5 star rating. Joye Roofing specializes in roof repair and replacement and atr fully bonded, licensed, and insured. We have accreditation from the Better Business Bureau with an A rating and are a Preferred Contractor for Owens Corning. Please call or text 803 470-5569 for your free roof inspection.
• Sands Enterprises states they are a full- service restoration company with 20 years of experience in residential and commercial construction. They do water damage, fire damage and remodeling restoration as well as roofing. They state that they are locally owned and operated in Lexington, SC and have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
• Palmetto Outdoor Solutions operates in Rock Hill, Columbia, and Greer, SC. Their website advertises roofing, gutters and siding. They offer free estimates and state that much of their new business comes to them via word-of-mouth recommendations.
• South Point Roofing and Construction was started in 2000 and service Columbia, Augusta, and Aiken. They have a history of construction, restoration and even plumbing services. They have affiliations with Aiken Chamber of Commerce, and are a Certified Green Professional and EPA Certified Lead Renovator.
• Crosby Roofing & Seamless Gutters shows offices in Greenville, Columbia, Macon and Augusta. They offer a free roof inspection and will also inspect and repair your vinyl siding. They show accreditation from Angie's List and Better Business Bureau.
• Baker Roofing Company advertises itself as Columbia area's largest contractor for roof repair services founded in 1915. It also provides roofing services to businesses in a dozen other cities in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
• Mayhem Roofing shows locations in Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, and Sumter, SC. They state that they used the best materials and hire professional local roofers. They also offer a free inspection.
• Burgin Roofing Services show accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, National Roofers Contracting Association, Master Elite, and Home Builders Association. They state they are family-owned and locally operated and are fully licensed, bonded and insured. They also show a discount for military.
• Grier Roofing, LLC states they have locations in Spartanburg, Greenville and Columbia and have been in business for over two decades. They state they have their own metal fabrication facility for metal roofing systems. They show an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and offer a free roofing quote.
• Highland Roofing Company says they are a family-owned and operated business with over 10 years experience. They provide commercial and industrial roofing services for customers throughout the Southeast. They offer a no-charge roof consultation.

The information above is just some basic information about some of the roofing contractors in the Columbia area. Of course we would like you to choose Joye Roofing in your search. We greatly appreciate your business and would love to talk with you and answer any questions you may have. Give us a call today at (803) 470-5569  and we can assist you with finding out more information and click here> to fill out our form to get a FREE roof inspection!
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