Winter in Ottawa Ontario can be different every year. Because there is always freezing rain in the forecast for the capital, there will be layers of snow and ice build up on your roof. It can cause structural damage because of the weight.
There are many reasons for ice damming other than freezing rain like poor ventilation, heat loss, blocked soffit or even having a low-pitched roof. It the slope of the roof is 6/12 or less, ice and water shield must be installed under neat and both sides of the valleys. On a 4/12 pitched roof i would recommend 9 feet of ice and water shield. If your house is facing north and south than your north side is more at risk of water damage before the south side. If you ask why; south-facing side of the house always kept warm by the sun and snow will always melt before. But the north side of the house does not see as much sun and melting occurs gradually not like the south side. Melting snow will pool up and back right under the shingles. Removing all the snow and ice from the north side of your house is a must unless there is enough ice and water shield and felt is installed.
Eventually heavy snow that’s parked on your roof will bow the plywood and you can see the rows of trusses from the street. It doesn’t matter if your house or your roof is new. Your roof is not design to haul weight for months, its design to allow rain or snow to run down and keep your house dry.
Always hire a roofing company that carries liability and wsib insurance certificate. Incidents are unpredictable and it can happen to anyone, anywhere at anytime. Protect yourself and your family from flyby roofers. We offer residential and commercial roofing services in Ottawa, Nepean, Barrhaven, Kanata, Stittsville, Orleans, Manotick and Greely Ontario. We are fully insured and cover by wsib to protect our staff and our customers from all the possibilities. We offer shingled and flat roof services, roof snow and ice removal and also offer FREE roofing quotes and estimates in the region.
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