While a roof de-icing system can help to protect your roof and home, there are other things that homeowners in the Detroit area can do to prolong the life of their roofs. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) recommends that homeowners inspect their roof every spring and fall. Also check the roof after any major hail or wind storm. Regardless of a roof’s age, severe hail storms can cause serious damage. Inspecting the roof on a regular basis can help homeowners identify potential problems and save money in the long run.
Michigan winters can be tough on roofs, but most structures are designed to easily cope with the typical snowfall weightloads, wind, and sub-freezing temperatures each year. Generally, residential roofs are designed to withstand 20 pounds per square feet of snow. Ten inches of fresh snow equals about five pounds per square foot, so homeowners can assume that their roof is capable of supporting as much as four feet of fresh snow without any damage occurring to the structure.
While the snow load itself should not lead to any structural problems, there is one wintertime perpetrator that homeowners should be on the lookout for – ice dams. Ice dams are the most common winter roof problem that can result in roof damage and water damage inside the home.
When warm air from the home escapes into the attic, it continues to rise, warming the roof, causing the snow to begin to melt. The runoff trickles down the roof, but since the eaves extend out from the home, and aren’t warmed by the attic’s heat loss, the water refreezes when it reaches the colder roof eaves. The frozen water creates a small ridge of ice, and over time that ridge increases in size. When additional runoff reaches the ice ridge, it has no place to go and pools up behind the ice. Standing pools allow the water to seep into the tiniest cracks in the roof, and when it refreezes the expanding ice enlarges those cracks. If this process repeats over time the roof can be damaged and water can seep into the home, eventually resulting in water damage.
The RoofHeat STEP® low-voltage roof de-icing system is one of the most trusted and effective
solutions for keeping roof edges and valleys clear of ice dams and snow. The systems can also be
installed to heat roof valleys, keeping them clear and facilitating runoff.
The low-voltage roof de-icing system features a thin polymer heating element that can be installed directly under the shingles and metal roofs. It is one of the safest and most trusted roof heating solutions available.
Self-regulating heat trace cable can be installed in roof gutters and downspouts as well as along roof edges to prevent ice dams. Keeping gutters clear allows runoff and prevents heavy ice from destroying the gutters.
Warmzone® roof and gutter heat trace cable features a durable outer jacket and an irradiated conductive core. The self-regulating properties act so that the irradiated core increases heat output as the outside temperature falls and decreases the heat output as the temperature rises, making the rugged cable very effective, efficient and safe. The heat cable is UL recognized under the Appliance Wire Classification (file E 76498) and meets the requirements of the NEC (National Electric Code) Section 426.
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Look for missing shingles and shingles with anomalies. If they are curling, buckling, blistering, or only have a few granules, they may be nearing the end of their life span. |
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Check the attic for stains that may indicate water is seeping into the home. |
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Check for soft spots on the roof. This may indicate damaged plywood that needs replacing. |
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Carefully inspect roof valleys and any areas where water can collect. |
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Check the condition of flashing points around roof vents, skylights, chimneys and fascia. |
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Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear of debris. |
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When clearing the roof gutters of debris, check if there are excessive amounts of shingle granules. In addition to giving shingles added weight, granules help to protect from ultraviolet rays. Loss of granules may indicate the end of the shingles’ useful life. |
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Inspect your home for evidence of small ceiling cracks and leaks. Check closet ceilings as well. |
Warmzone radiant heat experts understand what it takes to design and install an effective roof heating system for Detroit area buildings. We carry a variety of options, each of which can be customized to provide the most efficient de-icing for just about any type of roof and configuration. And roof heating systems can be combined to achieve maximum roof de-icing effectiveness for roof valleys, roof edges, and gutters and downspouts.
We work closely with our customers to evaluate the project and recommend the best solution for the available budget and roof de-icing needs. Call a radiant heating expert today to explore your options. And remember, Warmzone proudly offers the best customer support services in the industry. These services include free installation training, professional system design and layout, and technical support for installers. We stand with you throughout the research, purchase, and installation process. We want to ensure that your system is installed correctly and performing as expected.
To learn more about the many roof heating options that are available, call and speak with a roof de-icing professional today, at 888.488.9276 We'll be happy to go over your options and answer any questions you may have.
888-488-9276
info@warmzone.com
