Check for damage caused by winter snow and ice dams. Shingles and roofing support materials can be damaged by winter’s freeze and thaw cycles if water has penetrated the outter protective layer of your roof. Concrete and clay tile roof owner need to pay special attention to any broken or shattered tiles.

Gutter and downspout inspections are important to make sure the spring time downpours are routed away from your roof. Clogged gutters can allow rain to get under the lower placed shingles and damage underlying materials. Leaves, tree branches, and other materials collect in gutters over fall and all wash together with the first big rain to form frustrating clogs. I’ve even seen bird nests in gutters countless times.

The most important thing to remember when evaluating your roof this spring is Safety. Most reputable roofing contractors provide free inspections for homeowners. Read online reviews to find out which local roofers have the best reputation to avoid pushy salesmen.

How much does snow weigh? A square foot of snow 1″ deep weights 1.25 pounds. So if you have 20 inches of snow, you’ve got a 25lbs/ sq ft snow load on your roof. Ice weights 5.2lbs per sq ft so be sure to factor this in.

Most roofs can withstand around 40lbs/sq ft of snow load, while some older roofs and manufactured homes start to show damage around 30lbs/sq ft.

What’s worse than your roof buckling under the weight of the snow? Falling off it while shovelling after slipping on the stuff. Be careful! Hire a contractor if you’d like to avoid the risks.