Snow and ice damage to your roof is incredibly common in places that get large amounts of winter weather and while it may seem light and fluffy as it is falling to the ground, it can have serious consequences to your roof. Large amounts of snow, especially if it is heavy and wet or freezes quickly, can cause serious damage to your roof. In fact, roofs are very susceptible to winter damage because of the weight of the snow and ice; not to mention the addition of wind to the mix can create multiple problems for your home.

Can Snow Damage Your Roof?

Ice and snow damage to a roof can be a serious issue for your home if you live in an area that gets hit particularly hard with cold weather. There are a variety of different problems that severe weather can cause your roof if you aren’t careful and in some cases, the only way you can really tell how bad the problem is, is by getting a roof inspection done to get a clear look at the damage.

Some common issues arising from snow and ice damage to your roof are:

  • Too much weight: Most roofs can handle about 20 pounds of pressure, but during a winter filled with a lot of dense snow and ice packed on top of your roof, it’s possible to easily surpass that weight. This roof damage from snow and ice could be as simple as a few ruined shingles in the spots that suffer from the most packed snow or as severe as the roof collapsing.
  • Leaks: As soon as you notice leaks or drips of water from the wall or ceiling of your home, you’re already suffering from roof damage. Skylights are a common source of leaks because when they completely ice over, they don’t allow condensation to escape so when the snow and ice starts to melt, the water pools around the frame and either rots the surrounding structure or it could spread to the drywall interior and create more damage like mold.
  • Ice Buildup in Gutter: The buildup from snow damage to your roof isn’t the only place that can be affected during winter, gutters and downspouts can also be destructive if there is a lot of buildup throughout a long winter. If blocks of ice get lodged in the drainage system, the gutters could crack or break away from the roof.  It’s important to clean out leaves and debris in preparation for winter.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Roof Damage Caused by Snow?

Typically, your homeowners insurance policy will cover damage that results from common winter weather hazards, such as trees falling, major power outages, frozen or busted pipes, wind damage, and the effects from the accumulation of snow. Roof damage insurance will cover these types of events because they are unpreventable, and therefore wouldn’t be the fault of the homeowner.

Get Started with RoofClaim Today!

If your home suffered through the winter due to snow damage to the roof, insurance will cover it and RoofClaim.com can help you file a claim for your inspection or roof replacement. We work with contractors all over the country, so your work will always be done by a business that is local to you. We make the whole process easy and convenient for you.

If you’re wondering, “does insurance cover ice damage to a roof”,  enter the form for a free inspection or contact us via our convenient online chat.