Avoid Roof Snow Damage During Winter Storms

Here on the Front Range, we don’t often need to worry about roof snow damage. Rarely do we have considerable amounts of snow built up on our roofs for long periods of time, like in the midwest. However, when large winter storms roll in, the reason we would want to remove snow from our roofs is twofold.

Heavy Snow Breaks Roof Rafters

First, and perhaps the more obvious reason, is to remove the heavy snow from our roofs to relieve the stress that the weight puts on your home. Particularly in older homes and buildings with long spans exceeding 12 feet, it is not uncommon for rafters to break, compromising your roof’s structural integrity. If your home already has broken rafters, this can compound the weight problem. The fix for this is to remove the heavy snow, even if only from the vulnerable areas. One can also see a broken rafter from the exterior of your home, made obvious by sagging sections of the roof. Broken rafters are often an important and relatively simple fix by a qualified professional.

Ice Damming Causes Roof Leaks

The Second reason snow on our roofs is a problem is because of ice damming. Ice damming happens when snow melts above the heated portions of your home and re-freezes over unheated areas such as porches and soffits. This results in the backup of water, which makes its way under your shingles and penetrates the roof of your home. The remedy is to use a roof rake or similar tool to remove the snow from your home’s overhangs. Ice damming is not a common problem in Northern Colorado. However, in extreme winter and snow conditions, it is a big problem that homeowners should not ignore.

We can avoid roof snow damage and remedy both heavy snow strain and ice damming by using a roof rake to clear snow. Roof rakes are rakes without teeth and have extendable handles reaching as much as thirty feet. If you are purchasing one, you can purchase as many extensions as you need to remove the snow from your soffits.

As you hunker down and wait out the storm, call for your free estimate on roof snow removal. We are a local roofing and contracting company based in Loveland, Colorado with twenty years of roofing experience.

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