Tips For Roof Snow Removal
Removing snow from the roof can be one of the hardest things you will do during winter. You don’t have to do it unless it is absolutely necessary. But luckily our Colorado roofing contractors know how to get the job done quickly, and are happy to share their snow removal tips. If you insist on doing it on your own, a shovel is recommended to take off the snow. There are no specific rules you should follow but there are some things you could do to make it easy.
Why Worry About Snow On Your Roof
The main reason why you should be worried about the snow is a potential roof collapse. Snow and ice weigh a lot more than people think. A three-inch snowfall sitting on 1,000 square-foot could be equated to putting a car on your roof. This is dangerous for the inhabitants of the home.
Since you can’t take chances with a car over your roof, snow and ice should be treated with the same level of seriousness. Hundreds of residential and commercial roofs have collapsed as a result of excess snow. It can also be tricky to get insurance for such a situation even though it might be covered. The second reason is to prevent ice dams.
Using Your Door As a Signal
If the doors are beginning to stick, chances are high it is because of the snow on the roof. You should particularly pay attention to interior doors especially those on the second floor and also the attic. A house could also be susceptible to roof cave-ins if there was sloppy renovation work.
Determine if you should Remove the Snow from your Roof
The first thing to do is to determine the type of roof that you have to understand if you’re more at risk. See below the differences in why sloped roofs are less at risk.
Sloped Roof
With a roof at an angle, the weight is more evenly dispersed and is at a much lower risk of collapsing. The roof will hold more snow and ice depending on how steep it is. Steeper roofs tend to collect less snow. This does not mean that you can’t collect snow if the roof is pitched.
Shallow-pitch or Flat roof
A flat roof is at more risk of collapsing compared to a sloped roof because it allows much more snow and ice accumulation. But a shallow pitch is just as bad as a flat roof. If you have such a roof, it might be a good idea to remove the snow as soon as it falls. This kind of roof is almost flat.
Density of the Snow
The density of the snow is also a consideration. Heavy snow can weigh up to 10 times more than powdery snow. In such a case, you want to be proactive. Don’t wait for it to get worse before you call a specialist. You avoid the possibility of having a cave-in when you take preventive measures.
Removing the Snow from your Roof
It is highly discouraged from doing it on your own as it is a dangerous activity. There are a lot of reported injuries from people climbing ladders alone. Snow and ice are slippery and you don’t want to be sliding around on the roof.
Call the Experts!
The easiest thing you can do to prevent hurting yourself is by calling in someone else to remove the snow. Our Colorado roofing contractors have over 20 years of experience and will give you the best offer for safely removing your roof snow. Contact us today to get a quote!
