December 2021 - Home Re-Nu

Winter is quickly approaching, and with winter comes the possibility of snow and winter weather. Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home and roof. From heavy icicles hanging from your gutters to ice frozen on your eaves, there are multiple roofing issues that can result from winter weather. If you are facing these problems with ice on and around your roof, it is time to de-ice your roof. Keep reading for roof de-icing tips from the professional roofing contractors at Home Re-Nu.

Steps Before De-Icing

Before you start to de-ice your roof, you need to figure out the source of the water. Some possibilities are roof leaks, poor attic ventilation, or unsealed edges on windows. Roof ice comes in various forms such as frozen gutters and downspouts, ice dams, and icicles.

Ways to Remove Ice

Heat Cables: Heat cables are a preventative measure that is taken to prevent ice from forming on your roof in the first place. These electric cables can be installed on insulated portions of the roof and in the gutters.

Roof De-Icing Chemicals: Chemicals designed to melt ice are known as de-icers and can be used on your roof, as long as they are not corrosive and damaging to your roof. Stay away from de-icers that have sodium chloride or calcium chloride in them. De-icers work best in mild weather conditions and are not designed to be used in large areas.

Snow Rake: To manually remove snow from your roof, you can use a snow/roof rake. After a snow, use the rake to scrape the snow from your roof. Or, use the snow rake to remove icy crusts from your roof.

Choose Home Re-Nu

Got roofing questions? Our team of roofing contractors at Home Re-Nu will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today!

Surprisingly enough, there is quite a bit of debate among roof repair contractors about the impact of roof moss on the condition of a roof. Some stating that no harm will come to a roof with moss, while others claim it can cause irreparable damage. Here we are going to set the record straight on roof moss.

What is Moss?

Moss is a patch of flowerless plants that grow most effectively in moist, shady conditions. There are over 12,000 varieties of moss, each one falling into one of seven different classes. Moss has no roots, meaning it is non-vascular. It instead absorbs water through its appendages. With no roots, the plant grows wider rather than upwards. When moss is allowed to grow it can provide a nice rustic look, however the damage it can cause to your roof can make the appearance benefits not worth it.

Should I Remove Moss from my Roof?

According to the roof repair experts at Home Re-Nu. A single spore landing on your roof can lead to the growth and spread of moss on your roof. While not a large issue at first, if left to grow and spread, this can quickly cause a lot of problems with your roof.

Mold

When moss is left to grow in abundance, it can become a breeding ground for moisture loving pests like mosquitoes and mold. Mold not only shortens the lifespan of your roof, but can be a direct cause of health issues. It also attracts animals such as rodents, who will feed off the now rotting roof.

Leaks and Holes

Moss is known to grow underneath shingles, and slowly rip them from your roof. This can cause a lot of damage, causing leaks. Eventually this will lead to complete structural instability of your roof. At that point, even when you remove the moss from your roof, you will most likely take many of the shingles with it that have become entangled in the moss, leading to even more repairs needing to be made.

What to Consider before Removing Moss

Now that you understand all of the issues that can arise by allowing moss to grow, it is important to consider the consequences of removing it. While it is always better to remove the moss rather than let it grow, keep in mind that once moss has grown, some damage may still occur even if you choose to remove it.

Chemicals

Using household cleaners to remove moss can hurt your roof more than help it. Come cleaning products can cause damage such as flashing, and can stain parts of the roof. Professional roof cleaners have specialized cleaning supplies that are made for roofs and will not damage them. It is highly recommended that you contact a professional before trying to remove moss chemically.

Structure Damage

Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of walking on their roof to clean it. This is not a good idea, as most roofs cannot withstand the weight of people standing on them, especially if they are damaged. It is best to use a ladder to remove the moss if at all possible.

Have Questions?

If you have any more questions or are looking for a roof repair or inspection, do not hesitate to contact the roof repair experts at Home Re-Nu today. Our team would be happy to answer any questions you may have, and help you get your roof into the best shape it can be. Contact us today!

Month: December 2021

De-Icing Your Roof