Prevent Snow Damage Before it Destroys Your Roof

Don’t let your home become a statistic. Heavy snowfall has caused thousands of roofs to collapse due to the extreme weight. If your area experiences any amount of snow, consider using these strategies to prevent snow buildup from damaging your roof. Find out how professional snow removal can keep your roof intact through even the worst winter storms.

How Much Can Your Roof Support?

It’s important to understand how much snow and ice your roof can safely support. Homes around the country are all built with their climate in mind, so the exact amount can vary dramatically. It’s best to have a local roofing contractor inspect your roof to determine your roof’s weight threshold. Once that’s done, you’ll have a better idea when your roof is reaching dangerous accumulation.

Ice Prevention

Snow weighs less than ice, so ice buildup can be an even greater threat. Roofs that accumulate a lot of ice may be improperly insulated or vented. When this happens, your roof traps warm air from your home. This air heats the snow enough to melt it, which is quickly cooled again to form ice. Roofing contractors can help you determine any hotspots in your roof, and then quickly install vents or additional insulation to prevent ice buildup before it happens.

Snow removal

Once snow has already accumulated near dangerous levels, you’ll want a professional to have it removed. Using a snow rake, the snow and ice is pushed off your roof to reduce the weight and risk of collapse.

The technique seems simple enough, but is surprisingly dangerous. Large amounts of snow and ice can easily become dislodged at once, leaving individuals on the roof vulnerable to slipping and individuals on the ground at risk of falling piles of ice and snow. The best protection is hiring an expert who has experience removing snow safely. Contact a local roofing contractor today to keep your roof safe and intact.