Why Sleet Can be Hazardous to Your Home

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

When significant amounts of sleet build up on the roof, real problems can happen.

Winter storms are a part of December. Especially in East Mahoning County. We see everything from heavy snowfalls, hail, to sleet and everything in between.

As a homeowner---you would not think sleet can do much damage to the structure of your home. If you are not savvy to the true definition of sleet---it is considered “freezing rain.” Sleet is also a type of precipitation that occurs when rain formed in warm air in the sky passes through a layer of cold air near the ground. Thicker layers of cold air create sleet, a slushy form of water that is semi-frozen by the time it reaches the Earth. Thinner layers do not give rain enough time to freeze until it hits the surface of the ground—it then forms a thin coat of ice wherever it lands. Sleet is much smaller pellets than hail, so the damage to the exterior of the home is much less, but that does not mean it is not causing harm.

When significant amounts of sleet build up on the roof, real problems can happen, especially if your roof or siding is old and worn out before the storm even hits. The older your roof shingles are the more brittle they become and can come off easily. Sleet creates moisture and can get underneath the loose shingles. This creates a magnitude of problems such as: water leaking into your attic, shingles falling off, and ice dams.

The same thing can also affect the siding. Old brittle aluminum, wood or vinyl siding can have cracks, chips, or holes for moisture to enter. Sleet can slide easily into the gaps---creating structural damage. 

All of these things will lead to eventual water and mold damage. Which can add up to thousands of dollars in insurance claims and most likely money out of pocket.

Good thing SERVPRO of East Mahoning County is the leader in storm, fire, and water restoration. We are right here in your backyard helping Mahoning County residents. Restoring storm- and flood-damaged properties is the cornerstone of our business. Our highly trained professionals use specialized equipment and advanced training to quickly restore your Youngstown property to pre-storm condition. We are dedicated to responding immediately, which helps to minimize secondary damage. Should you need our assistance, this winter, with any type of storm damage…we are here for you 24/7. Being open 365 days, a year ensures we are the most reliable company around. Call us for a quote today at 330.536.7477.

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