How to Protect Your Home’s Roof in Massachusetts From Snow and Ice Damage

Living in Massachusetts, we’re no strangers to the harsh weather that winter brings. Snow and ice can really pack a punch when it comes to your home and roof, which is why protecting your exteriors against these elements is priority #1.

Call our GAF roofing contractors at Golden Group Roofing to book your Inspection today.

If ignored, snow and ice damage can translate to high repair and replacement costs. That can wreak havoc on your budget if you’re not prepared for those surprise situations. Neglect can also lead to ice dams, leaks, mold, and structural issues. Regular TLC for your roof is the best way to prevent roof damage from snow and ice.

Fortunately, Golden Group Roofing brings vast expertise in roof protection, maintenance, and repair throughout all seasons.

Understanding the Threat: Snow and Ice Damage to Roofs in Massachusetts

Your roof has a big job: to protect your home from the harshest of elements. When you don’t keep up with regular maintenance or have a basic understanding of how those elements can affect your roof, you could be putting your home at risk. The biggest risk of roof neglect is ice dams. However, ice dams are really a culprit of your attic and indoor temperatures. Without proper ventilation in your attic, it traps heat, which warms the roof. That causes the snow to melt and drip down your roof toward the eaves. Because the edges of your roof are colder, that snow melt will freeze at night when temps plummet, resulting in dangerous ice dams. Aside from the danger posed to anyone walking underneath, ice dams bring a high potential for damage to your roof and exteriors. From heavy snow accumulation to water backing up under your shingles, you could be faced with expensive problems to fix come spring. As such, untreated roof damage from snow can lead to leaks, mold, and even structural issues. The National Weather Service points out that after several days of melting-freezing cycles, the melted water and ice will work their way up under the shingles and get inside your attic. Eventually, that water will damage your ceilings, walls, furniture, and belongings.

Tips for Protecting your Roof from Snow and Ice Damage

From cleaning out your gutters to adding proper roof ventilation, there are many things you can do to protect your roof from snow and ice damage.

1. Keep gutters clean

Every year, once in spring and once in fall, clean out your gutters. Over the seasons, dirt, debris, and leaves can accumulate, blocking the free flow of water. As the gutters become heavy with debris, they can start to pull away from your home. But even more important, that clogged debris can trap water and snow, which builds up, refreezes, and leads to ice dams. Clean out your gutters before and after winter to prevent this from happening.

2. Install ice and water shields

You can install ice and water shields along the roofline for added protection. These shields are essentially waterproof roof underlayment membranes designed to protect vulnerable areas on a roof from water and ice damage. With these in place, your roof decking will remain protected if water seeps in underneath the roofing material (metal, asphalt shingles, etc.)

3. Add proper ventilation

Adequate attic ventilation serves to regulate temperatures and prevent ice dams. According to Energy Star, a natural flow of outdoor air that ventilates the attic will keep it cold. In turn, this reduces the potential for ice damming. Without enough ventilation, warm air from the attic will melt the snow on your roof, where it will run down and refreeze at the edges.

4. Shovel snow off the roof

Once snow has already accumulated, you can take steps to remove it from your roof. You can use a roof rake with a long handle to clear it yourself from the ground or a ladder, or you can hire a professional roofer in Massachusetts to handle snow removal for you. This is the safest option. However, if you do decide to remove the snow on your own, be careful not to damage the shingles or gutters while removing snow.

Choose rakes with rollers or bumpers on the blade to avoid direct contact with the shingles.
Apply light pressure when pulling off snow.
Start at the roof’s edge and work your way up.
Remove only a portion of the snow at a time.
Don’t climb onto the roof to rake snow off.
Take extra care around gutters, downspouts, and power lines.

Keep in mind, the use of ice melt is not recommended

Specific Considerations for Different areas of Massachusetts

Where you live in Massachusetts can dictate the type of snow and ice damage you may experience.

Central and Greater Massachusetts: These areas typically get more heavy, wet snow, with the terrain and elevation contributing to snow accumulation on roofs.
Coastal homes (Eastern MA and Cape Cod): These homes have to contend with challenges posed by salty air, wind, and ice accumulation. Homes near the water can suffer from exposure to extreme weather conditions and salt erosion.
Homes near trees and lakes: Shade is nice, but with too many trees around your home, there is a risk of falling branches and heavy snow that can damage your roof. In addition, there is a potential risk for ice buildup and structural damage for homes near lakes.

Signs of Ice Dams and Snow Buildup

Thankfully, there are some warning signs to watch out for when it comes to ice dams and snow buildup, such as:

Icicles hanging from eaves
Visible water damage inside the home
Ice accumulating near the roofline
Water stains on ceilings or exterior walls
Plumbing leaks
Gutters filled with ice or snow

It’s important to spot these issues early on, as this is the best way to prevent larger, more expensive problems later on due to roof damage from snow.

How Golden Group Roofing Can Help

Golden Group Roofing is a GAF Master Elite Installer, offering GAF’s highest Golden Pledge Warranty (50 years). We have decades of experience dealing with roofs in Massachusetts that have been damaged by snow and ice. Prevention is the best way to keep your home safe. To that end, it’s wise to schedule regular roof inspections and engage in preventive maintenance to ensure your roof can make it through winter. So whether you have concerns about ice dams, or your roof is old and needs replacement, we are here to help. In the end, proactive care is the best way to ensure the longevity and safety of your roof through harsh winter conditions.

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Our family-owned company is proud of our community-driven mission and the services we provide our clients throughout New England, including Cambridge, Somerville, Newton, and Quincy. Our expertise and knowledge of New England weather and the region's building codes help ensure the durability, reliability, and code compliance you require. We are dedicated to delivering superior craftsmanship and providing rock-solid warranties and guarantees you can rely upon.

Contact Golden Group Construction Corporation today to learn more about our roofing and exterior services and to request a quote.

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How to Protect Your Home’s Roof in Massachusetts From Snow and Ice Damage

Call our GAF roofing contractors at Golden Group Roofing to book your Inspection today.

Understanding the Threat: Snow and Ice Damage to Roofs in Massachusetts