This time of year, depending upon where you live, snow and ice begin to pile up everywhere. This includes piling up on the roof of your home or business. Because of this fact, you may need to determine what type of roof snow removal is appropriate for your property. You may be able to do this yourself, but depending on the amount of snow and the type of roof you have you may need to hire a trained professional.
The amount of snow and ice your roof can support will depend on a number of factors, including the roof type as well as the age and condition of the structure. A good rule to keep in mind is if there is more than a foot of snow and your roof; especially if the snow is heavy, wet, or icy, you should have it removed.Here are a few tips to help you properly execute your roof snow removal plan.
Use the proper equipment
There are specific Roof Rakes designed for when snow accumulates excessively roofs and removal may be a challenge. Roof rakes help clear out the snow off your property and prevent ice dams from creating.
Work from the edge towards the center of your house
If you work from the edges of your house towards the center it will cause any excess snow to fall towards the outskirts of your house and on to the ground. On the contrary, if your work from the center out it can cause additional snow to fall towards the center of your house and cause the roof to collapse.
Only remove 2-3 inches at a time
In addition to working from the exterior to the middle it is also important to only remove 2 or 3 inches on the roof at a time. This is instead of scraping the roof clean, which will risk damage to your shingles or other roof covering.
Be careful of metal roofs
A metal roof can conduct electricity and depending upon the conditions from the Winter Weather Storm there may be a power source connected to your roof. Approach snow removal careful or hire a trained professional.
For Flat Roofs
If your flat roof is easily accessible from the inside, it may be easier to shovel a portion of the roof from the interior.
For Sloped Roofs
Roof rakes are likely to be beneficial to remove the snow and ice from your sloped roof. A rake with a long-handled tool design is ideal. You should be able to stand on the ground and pull a majority of the snow off the eaves. If you cannot safely reach the roof you more than likely need to contact a homebuilder, landscaping professional, or property maintenance company to remove the snow and ice for you.