Even though it’s been a pretty mild winter so far, in Colorado, you never know when snowstorms will hit! Warmer, wet snow can be heavy and cause damage to trees, causing all sorts of havoc. Cold storms can bring ice and icicles, bringing a different kind of danger.
Be ready to protect your house from winter storms with these safety tips for removing snow from your roof.
Prevent Roof Damage
It’s important to keep an eye on your roof all year long to keep it properly maintained. Be proactive to prevent damage from winter storms by inspecting and maintaining your roof before the winter season begins. It will help you minimize major roof repairs and extend the life of your shingles.
Inspect the Situation
Roofs can handle different amounts of weight, but when snow and ice build up on your house, it has the potential to cause your roof to collapse, which is the last thing you want any time of year, but especially during the holiday season when friends and family are often under that roof! Heavy, wet snow can be problematic, but don’t be fooled by the lighter snow that can cause even more of a problem if it blows and forms large drifts that can weaken your roof under the pressure of the extra weight.
Be on the lookout for things like:
- leaks
- sagging ceilings
- poor drainage
- damaged shingles
- your interior doors sticking (that could mean there is enough weight on the center structure of the house to distort the door frame)
Can You Remove The Excess Snow From The Ground?
If you can use a long-handled snow rake to get that extra snow off of your roof, go for it! Look for the kind with built-in rollers to protect your shingles from damage. Stand on the ground and pull as much of the snow off the eaves as you can safely reach. And make sure that you anticipate where that snow is going to dump when you push it off the roof so you are safely out of the way!
Do You Need to Climb on the Roof to Remove The Snow?
Make sure that whoever you contact is licensed and insured with good references.
