Though Salt Lake is just a short drive from Park City, the two cities have very different roofing requirements. Having a roof installed that is correctly designed for Park City’s specific roofing requirements is important to ensure that your roof doesn’t develop problems.

Let’s take a look at 2 main differences in roofing requirements between Park City and Salt Lake homes and why you shouldn’t hire a roofer from Salt Lake.

Park City Roofs Demand More Because of Snow Fall

One of the most significant differences between Park City and Salt Lake is snow accumulation. Park City on average receives 411 inches of snow per year while Salt lake averages 60 inches of snowfall.

Because the snowfall is up to almost 7x higher in Park City than Salt Lake, the roof of a home in Park City needs to be much more protective than a Salt Lake roof.

The snowfall in Park City can accumulate on roofs for months while in Salt Lake the snow usually melts within a few days after a snowstorm.

Park City roofs need to be more watertight and have better materials used to make sure that they can withstand the snow accumulation without leaking.

Often Salt Lake roofing companies will install cheap underlayment and shingles that are not as protective as they need to be to protect Park City homes.

Park City Roofs Are Susceptible to Ice Dams

Ice dams are one of the most common problems that homeowners face in Park City during the winter. Ice dams are caused by a thawing and freezing process that occurs on the roof of a home.

For ice dams to form you need there to be snow on a roof, the outside temperature must be below 32 degrees F on average, and the higher portions of your roof must be above 32 degrees F.

When these 3 factors happen in harmony over sustained periods, ice dams form.

Ice dams put a lot of stress on the valleys and eaves of a roof. Ice dams often cause major leaks as the ice creates cracks for water to find its way into your home.

Preventing and preparing for ice dams requires that homes have better metal details installed in the valleys of a house, better underlayment installed, and heat cable installed in problem areas; something most salt lake roofers are unfamiliar with.

Ice dams don’t usually form in Salt Lake as the average winter temperatures don’t fall below 32 degrees for much of the winter season. Because of this, Salt Lake roofers have limited experience dealing with and preventing ice dams.

Conclusion

Homes in Park City demand more from their roofs when compared to Salt Lake homes because of the increased snowfall and winter severity. Issues like ice dams aren’t dealt with in Salt Lake and require local experience to install appropriate solutions.

Salt Lake roofers will also often install cheaper materials with worse installation practices that leave Park City roofs vulnerable in the immediate future and for years to come.