Snow can exploit weaknesses in roofs, gutters

Published: Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, 6:03p.m. Updated 4 hours ago

Snow can be a bigger problem when it stays up than when it comes down.

Snow that stays on the roof can find ways to exploit flaws in flashing or seams in shingles, and it can build up enough that it creeps up from jammed gutters far enough to start dripping to the inside floors below.

Roof problems can emerge at a time when it is tough to do anything about them. Stop-gap repairs are possible, but the true solution to the problem might be months away.

Al Lambert of 3 Rivers Roofing in Washington County said he received 2,700 phone calls in the month after the 24-inch snow of 2010.

He eventually reached the point where he would address only emergencies.

Jeff Moeslein of Dormont's Legacy Remodeling said winter is a very difficult time. There are things we can do now, but you almost have to wait for spring.

Lambert and some of his crew recently were assessing a problem in an attic, but he said repairs likely will have to wait until the snow melts.

Tom Bollnow, senior director of technical services at the Illinois-based National Roofing Contractors Association, said the first thing he advises anyone with a roof problem is to stay on the ground.

It is tough for a professional to go up there, but it really is something for the homeowner to avoid, he said.

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Snow can exploit weaknesses in roofs, gutters