• Install an ice and water shield. This is an efficient and cost-effective way to avoid snow and ice related leaks. The waterproofing membrane is applied around vulnerable flashing points to protect against wind-driven rain and ice dams.
• Have snow guards installed. These protect people, landscaping, lower roofs and gutters from heavy slides of melting snow and ice. The snow guards hold snow and ice in place allowing a gradual melting.
• Do not attempt to have broken gutters reattached until the snow is cleared.
• Have your roof inspected once the cold weather is gone. For the most effective results, a professional should do the work.

First, snow lands and stays on your roof. Rising heat from your attic heats up the roof, except for the overhang. When the melting water runs down the slope of the roof, it is stopped by the snow on the overhang. This ice dam at the overhang backs up the water, sending it under shingles, through nail holes and into your house.

Water also can back up in gutters the same way. Ice build-up on gutters forces water up and under roofing material. In addition, many gutters will collapse because of improper installation others because of the sheer weight of ice - which weighs in at 56 pounds per cubic foot.

• Do not attempt to climb your roof to remove snow. You could get hurt or make the situation worse. These removals can be dangerous even for professionals.
  
• If you have a winter weather leak, there is not much you can do about it at that point. Get a bucket and keep an eye on your ceiling. If your ceiling looks like it will cave in or water is coming through a light fixture, call a professional. Electricity and water do not mix.
  
• If your frozen gutters are beginning to fall off, call a roofing professional to remove them safely. In the meantime, tread carefully. Avoid walking under the gutters and do not slam your door, which could dislodge the gutter and send it down.
  
• For safety reasons, leave the snow on flat roofs on most homes and apartment buildings; beams on these structures are usually stronger than on other roofs. However, unusual amounts of snowfall - especially when followed by rain - can cause a roof to collapse. Property managers should keep a close watch on large flat roofs, especially on unheated buildings. Contact a structural engineer to find out whether clearing is necessary.
  

Property owners' headaches can begin the moment they select an unqualified contractor to work on their property. But, with a little investigation, it is easy to find and hire professional contractors who will not only perform quality work, but will also make working with them a satisfying experience.
We suggest you protect yourself and your property by using the following guidelines when selecting a roofing contractor.

• Obtain customer references and check them. Ask about the company's stability, reputation, record on completing jobs on time and quality of work performed.
  
• Make sure that the company is licensed and bonded.
  
• Call you local Better Business Bureau or your state's Department of Professional Regulation to check for possible complaints filed against the contractor.
  
• Insist on a written proposal and examine it for complete descriptions of the work and specifications, including tasks the roofer will perform, types of materials, financial arrangements, and guarantees. Remember to check on the roofer's plans for keeping the property as clean as possible.
  
• Have your contractor list the roofing manufacturers with which his firm has licensed or approved applicator agreements. Most materials require special application expertise in order to achieve a quality roof system that will last.
  
• Carefully read and understand any warranty offered and watch for provisions that would void it.
  
• Don't hesitate to ask the roofing contractor for proof of insurance. In fact, insist on seeing copies of his liability coverage and worker's compensation certificates. Be sure the coverage runs through the duration of the job.
  
• Keep a healthy skepticism about the lowest bid. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Remember, price is only one of the criteria for selecting a contractor. Professionalism and quality workmanship should also weigh heavily on your decision.
  

(Excerpted from a consumer bulletin issued by the National Roofing Contractors Association.)

Nothing will extend the life of your roof like a good preventative maintenance program. And the beginning of such a program is inspection; followed, of course, by necessary repairs for problem areas. Inspections should be made in the fall, before damaging winter weather, or in the spring.
The purpose of inspections is to locate and repair roof problems before they happen - that is, before water can damage walls, ceilings and equipment. Inspections should be done by a qualified roofing professional. A good inspection includes looking at many items in addition to the roof surface for clues to possible trouble. The built-up (roof mat with gravel) roof is especially susceptible to leakage and should be inspected regularly and thoroughly, although these inspection points can apply to any roof.
A good inspection on any roof will detect problems in the following areas:

• Drainage system: Inspectors should look for water accumulation. Slow-acting drains and gutters may cause water to back up above the flashing. Drains should be clear of debris and should flush out water below the roof surface. Expansion of the drain can sometimes cause the spout to move above the roof level, preventing full drainage from the roof. Changes in the original slope of the roof also should be checked, as these can cause standing water.
  
• Exterior walls: Inspectors should check for settlement cracks or other evidence of building movement that might have strained the flashing or displaced drainage facilities. A white powdery excretion from mortar joints, called efflorescence, may indicate leaks in the flashing, coping or parapet wall.
  
• Interior walls and ceiling: Damp walls, discoloration and flaking may indicate a leaking roof. Built-up roofs should have copings checked. A coping is the covering on the top of the parapet wall. Generally, copings have two main troubles: either coping materials lose water repellency and absorb moisture or the mortar or caulking in the coping joints crack. In either case, water may drain into the parapet, which is the raised wall along the edge of the roof. Where the water enters may be difficult to determine, though most likely the leak will run inside facings and damage interior walls.
  
• Top side: Defects are difficult to see from a top side-only inspection. But on flat roofs, the experienced inspector looks for cracks in the roofing felt that may reflect cracks in the roof deck. If the mat gives under weight, the under-the-deck board may be rotted and need replacing. Sharp indentations or breaks at right angles to the underboard usually indicate the decking board is improperly supported. Close attention should be given to television antennas, power cable supports, lightning protection, air conditioning equipment and signs. Supports and braces for such attachments often are spiked or bolted to any convenient spot on the roof and may cause serious leakage.

A qualified roofing professional will be able to discuss these items with you after a roof inspection. It's a good idea to have the inspector establish a check list for your roof or property with specific items that need to be assessed at each inspection. Such a list will help you discover roofing problems early, saving money and adding years to your roof's life.

• What are your long-term goals for the building? For example, what is appropriate for a building about to be sold is not necessarily appropriate for a long-range investment.
  
• Should you remove the existing roof or go over it? A qualified roofing contractor should be able to explain the pros and cons of this question as it relates to your roof.
  
• Does the roof collect standing water? If so, is it necessary to provide drainage to prevent future problems and obtain the roofing materials manufacturer's warranty?
  

Roofs are really just four basic elements. There are the rafters (or trusses), structural elements of a building, to which the roof foundation is attached. This base, called the roof deck or sheathing, is usually plywood and is the first layer of protection over a structure or building. Over this goes the underlayment or felt (often called tar paper), a sheet of asphalt-saturated material that provides the second layer of protection. Finally, the shingles (or other roofing material such as metal or slate) protects the entire structure from the harsh elements of weather.