How & Why to Remove Snow From Your Roof

It’s the heart of winter and a significant amount of snow has built up on your roof. If your roof is built up to code, it is capable of withstanding normal snow buildup. However, if your interior doors and windows are starting to jam or become difficult to open/close, it may be time to call in a professional to clear the snow to prevent damage.

Although there are DIY methods of snow removal, these can quickly become dangerous and may even result in death. Instead of risking injury and additional damage to your roof, call a professional snow removal contractor to safely do the job. Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured, and rest assured that they will do the job safely. Also note that the goal of any snow and ice removal is to remove excess weight, meaning that there will still be snow on your roof at the end of the process. This avoids irreparable damage to the waterproofing membrane.

Damages that snow and ice may cause roof:

Ice dams: Ice dams are buildups of ice on the edges of your roof that can block melting snow from running off the edge of the roof. The remaining pool of water on your roof can result in expensive water damage. Your entire roofing system and gutters can become compromised.

Gutter damage: When snow and ice start to slide off your roof, they can accumulate in your gutters. The excess weight this causes can cause damage to your gutters and the sides of your roof.

Icicles: Icicles can form on the edges of your roof and gutters and cause damage due to the extra weight. They can also pose a threat to those walking under them if they were to break off. Cleaning out your gutters before snowfall can help prevent the formation of icicles.

Leakage: The extra weight of snow and ice on your roof combined with its freeze and thaw cycles can damage the integrity of your roof, making leaks more likely. Snow can also seep into the base of the roof and cause water damage.

Collapsed roof: Periods of heavy snowfall combined with an aging roof can lead to a collapse of the structure. Since snowfall remains on the roof for long periods of time and can be quite heavy, the surface becomes wetter and heavier. This causes more damage than rain.

For more information about us or our available services which includes ice and water shields as well as emergency snow and ice removal, contact us today!