What Snow Does to Your Roof in Pembroke?

Living in Pembroke, Ontario, we all know winter is no joke. The snow falls heavy, the winds howl, and our roofs? Well, they take the brunt of it. If you’ve ever wondered what all that snow is actually doing up there—or if you’ve got a sneaking suspicion it’s more than just a pretty blanket—here’s the lowdown on how snow impacts your roof in our little corner of the Ottawa Valley.

The Weight of Winter

First off, snow isn’t as light as it looks. Wet, compacted snow can weigh anywhere from 15 to 20 pounds per cubic foot, and in Pembroke, where we often get a mix of fluffy powder and heavier, icy stuff, that adds up fast. A typical roof here might handle 30-50 pounds per square foot (depending on how old your home is and local building codes), but a big dump—like the 40+ cm we can see in a single storm—can push those limits. If your roof’s already dealing with ice buildup or a few too many seasons, that weight can stress the structure, leading to cracks, leaks, or even a worst-case collapse.

Ice Dams: The Sneaky Trouble-Makers

Then there’s the freeze-thaw cycle we know all too well in Pembroke. Daytime sun melts a bit of snow, it trickles down your roof, and then bam—overnight temps drop below -20°C, and that water freezes at the edges. Hello, ice dams. These icy barriers trap more melting snow behind them, and before you know it, water’s sneaking under your shingles. That’s when you get those nasty interior leaks—dripping into your attic or down your walls. Not exactly the cozy winter vibe we’re going for.

Shingles Take a Beating

Speaking of shingles, snow’s no friend to them either. The constant moisture, combined with Pembroke’s wild temperature swings, can make shingles brittle over time. Add in some wind (and we’ve all felt those gusts off the Ottawa River), and you might find a few missing come spring. Heavy snow sliding off can rip them up too, especially if it’s been sitting there, thawing and refreezing into a crusty layer.

Gutters and Downspouts: Clog City

Your gutters don’t get a break either. Snow piles up, melts a little, and refreezes right in there, turning your downspouts into ice sculptures. When spring finally rolls around—or even during those mid-winter thaws we sometimes get—the water’s got nowhere to go. That’s when you see overflowing gutters or pooling near your foundation, which can spell trouble for your basement.

What Can You Do About It?

So, what’s a Pembroke homeowner to do? A few tricks can help:

• Clear the Snow: Grab a roof rake (from the ground—safety first!) and pull off what you can after a big storm. Don’t let it pile up too high.

• Check Your Insulation: Good attic insulation keeps heat from escaping and melting snow unevenly, which cuts down on ice dams.

• Inspect Before Winter: Head up (or hire someone) to check for loose shingles or clogged gutters before the snow flies.

• Watch for Warning Signs: Sagging ceilings, new leaks, or creaking noises? Time to call a pro.

  
  

Here in Pembroke, our roofs are built tough—after all, they’ve got to handle Renfrew County winters—but they’re not invincible. A little TLC goes a long way to keeping your home safe and dry, no matter how much snow Mother Nature throws at us. So next time you’re sipping coffee by the window, watching the flakes fall, spare a thought for your roof—it’s working harder than you might think!