2020 has caused a lot of changes in people’s lives. One of those changes is where people live. Park City has seen a huge influx of people moving back or moving in for the first time, and if you are one of those people, welcome.

Park City’s unique mountain climate brings incredible skiing and views, but it also brings home problems that many people have never experienced or thought about.

In this article, we will look at 3 common roofing problems and solutions that new Park City homeowners should be aware of.

Ice Dams

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow (water) from draining off the roof.

Ice dams form from a complex interaction between the amount of heat loss from your home, the outside temperature, and snow cover.

Ice dams are often found in the valleys and eaves(edge) of a home's roof and can extend down to the ground.

Ice dams can grow to weigh thousands of pounds and can pose severe threats to homes and people.

Getting ice dams removed and then finding a more permanent solution is essential.

Ice dams can be prevented with super-insulated roofs, heat cable systems, and proper roof insulation.

Icicles

If you previously lived in a warmer climate, icicles on your roof are probably something you have never dealt with.

Icicles are not only dangerous for people but they are also bad for your roof.

icicles form on the edge of your roof(eave) as the snow melts from the upper portions of your home and begins cooling on the edge.

while at first, a few small icicles may not seem like a big deal, icicles can quickly grow in size and danger.

If big enough icicles fall from an upper roof section and hit a lower roof section, the impact can cause penetrations that lead to roof leaks.

To prevent icicles from forming, your home should have a gutter system installed that collects and redirects snowmelt to the ground.

It is important to have heat cable installed in the gutter as well to prevent ice build-ups in your gutters.

Rooftop “avalanches”

Rooftop avalanches typically occur on metal roofs that have significant snow build-up and no snow retention system.

much like a typical avalanche that occurs on the mountain, a rooftop avalanche can be extremely dangerous and life-threatening.

Thousands of pounds of snow and ice can sheet off of your roof and onto the ground in a matter of seconds without notice.

The solution to preventing rooftop avalanches on metal roofs is to have a snow retention system installed that prevents all of the snow on your roof from coming off at once.

Snow retention systems are an essential part of a proper metal roofing system that shouldn’t be ignored.

Conclusion

Many people have moved to Park City and the surrounding area in 2020. Every new homeowner should know about common roofing issues like ice dams, icicles, and rooftop avalanches.