Pittsburgh’s freeze-thaw cycles have impacted the roofs of homes in the Steel City for centuries. These cycles force some homeowners to replace their residential roofs sooner than anticipated.
The warming climate has led to fewer freezing-cold days in “The ‘Burgh” in recent years. However, you should still know how Pittsburgh’s freeze-thaw cycles impact your roof to prevent potential problems.
Learn everything you need to know about the city’s freeze-thaw cycles and their effect on your home’s roof below.
The Impact Pittsburgh’s Freeze-Thaw Cycles May Have on Your Roof
Understanding what the freeze-thaw cycles do to your home can help you prevent the possible problems that the city’s frigid temperatures can cause. Here is a quick rundown of what happens when moisture freezes and thaws on your roof during the bitter winter months in Pittsburgh:
- Water works its way into the cracks and crevices in your roof.
- It expands and contracts as it freezes and thaws repeatedly throughout the winter.
- The water’s constant thermal expansion and contraction damages your home’s roof.
If you don’t do anything to prevent water from collecting on your roof and freezing and thawing, it might result in significant roofing problems such as ice dams, cracked shingles and flashing issues, or water seepage into the interior of your home.
It might even weaken your roof’s structural integrity and make it impossible for it to withstand heavy snow load stress. Pittsburgh gets almost 4 feet of snow annually, which could badly damage your roof if it isn’t strong enough.
How To Prevent Ice From Wreaking Havoc on Your Roof
Now that you know how Pittsburgh’s freeze-thaw cycles impact your roof, let’s discuss how to prevent it from causing problems next. Here are a few valuable roof maintenance tips that may stop the local freeze-thaw cycles from inflicting too much pain on your roof:
- Ensure proper ventilation for your attic.
- Keep your gutters and downspouts clear.
- Add more than enough insulation to your roof.
The harder you work to maintain your Pittsburgh home’s roof, the less of an impact the freeze-thaw cycles should have on it.
What To Do If You End Up With Roof Damage
Knowing how Pittsburgh’s freeze-thaw cycles impact your roof is only half the battle. You also need to maintain your roofing system accordingly and mentally prepare for the possibility of the freeze-thaw cycles damaging your roof despite your best efforts to counteract them.
If your roof sustains damage despite your best efforts, contact a reputable and reliable roofing company as soon as possible. They will provide a comprehensive inspection to uncover the specific issues you’re dealing with and aim to make the necessary repairs immediately.
This company should also extend additional information on how to better care for your roof in the future.
Reach Out to Us To Schedule Roof Repairs and Get More Valuable Maintenance Tips
Our Gotcha Covered Contracting team is here to help keep your home’s roof in excellent condition. We will install a brand-new roof on your home using the highest-quality materials or make repairs to an existing roof to quickly stop the damage from worsening. As a veteran-owned company with local ties, we are passionate about helping our fellow Pittsburgh neighbors protect their homes with top-rated services and reliable results.
As a homeowner, you should know how Pittsburgh’s freeze-thaw cycles impact your roof. If you don’t work to combat these cycles, you might have no choice but to deal with the costly consequences.
Contact us at (724) 581-8147 today to set up a roofing consultation with our talented team. We can also offer assistance with siding and gutters.
