Cold fronts typically move in overnight, dropping a couple of inches of snow on your roof. In the morning, temperatures may rise into the 60's, melting the snow, slowly. While rain flows across the roof and drain off, ice and melting snow does not drain away that fast. Along with cold temperatures, the daytime daylight hours are shorter, and before the snow has time to drain off the roof, the temperature drops once again, re-freezing the snow.

Water expands when it freezes, and when ice forms in holes, abrasions, cuts or failing roof seems, it can lead to major problems by the time it starts to melt. Melting ice can cause your roof to fail, and pose a serious risk to your floors, walls, inventory and equipment.

Under normal circumstances, your roof has to withstand serious conditions, including wind, heat, hail, UV rays, blowing debris that may puncture or scar your roof, foot traffic, and third party contractor damage. These factors destroy the integrity of your roof.

Even the best roofing system, installed by the most competent commercial roofing contractor in the ideal environmental conditions will eventually deteriorate. Roofing material does break down over time, and the conditions above will make it more susceptible to damage. Over time, holes, cuts, abrasions, cuts and failing seams will develop, and when you add to that the winter freeze-thaw cycle, your roof faces serious threats.

Rain or melting snow will enter the cracks or holes, and when it friends, it will expand, forcing the small areas to become bigger. The cracks and failing seams will continue expanding with more rain and snow and it will seem fine all winter, but when spring rolls around and the ice thaws and becomes water, it will seep into your building. Your roof may even fail.

The Commercial Roofing Contractor's Guide to Winterizing Your Roof