Snow And Your Roof: Avoiding Structural Damage From Snow Accumulation

With winter weather in full swing, many homeowners are dealing with snowfall. That snowfall can bring with it certain hazards, including damage to your home's roof. It's important that you protect your home's roof from the danger of excess weight strain as a result of snow accumulation. Here's a look at what you need to know to ensure that your roof makes it through the winter in the best possible condition.

Consider Heat Strips

If you have an external power source, the best way to eliminate any kind of snow weight issue on your roof is to install heat strips along your entire roof. Plug them in when a snowstorm starts and the heat strips will keep the snow from sticking to the roof.

For those who aren't comfortable with installing heat strips on their own, your local roofing contractor can often handle the installation for you. These strips are best installed before the winter season because roof work is safer when the weather is more moderate, and also because it ensures that the strips are ready before the snow starts to fall.

Buy A Rake

Snow rakes are a great investment for removing snow accumulation from your roof. You can choose the length of the handle based on how high your roof is. The flat end of the roof rake will pull the snow down off your roof so that you don't have any residual snow left to build up the weight on the roof or to melt and cause water damage.

If you opt for a snow rake, it's important to use it after every snowfall. If you allow it to sit, even light, fluffy snow will become heavy, wet, and saturated if it's allowed to start melting and then refreeze. 

Be Mindful Of Gutters

Your gutter system is another component that you need to be mindful of when it comes to your home's roofing protection. If you rake snow and damage or fill your gutters, you risk damage from the weight of the snow on the gutter's mounting hardware. This can lead to ice dams along the edge of your roof. As such, you should make sure that you clear your gutters out and are cautious about their placement when you remove snow from your roof. This will help to prevent further damage to the roof and the gutter system.

The safest option for snow removal on your roof is to reach out to a roofing contractor for help. Roofing contractors have the tools and the expertise to safely clear your roof and monitor it for any damage that may need to be addressed. Contact a roofing company for more information.

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