withstand the typical amount of snowfall expected for your region. However, if you receive above normal amounts of wet snow, snow rakes can be your solution.
Snow rakes are great for homeowners to use because they are a safe method for . All you have to do is stand on the ground and use the snow rake to scrape the snow off along the edges of your roof to reduce the load. If you feel that your roof needs a more in-depth snow clearing, be sure to contact a licensed and insured roofing professional in your area.
If you decide to invest in a snow rake, there are some things you should know before getting started.
Inspect Your Roof
Before winter sets in, you will want to or loose shingles, flashing, or gutters. You can also hire a roofing professional to check the condition of your roof if you would like an expert opinion. If there is any structural damage to your roof, this will be made even more vulnerable after snow raking. It could even cause damage to your roof, putting your home at risk.
Beware of Steep Roofs
The steeper the roof, the faster the snow will come down. For this reason, be sure that you are standing far enough away that the won’t fall on top of you. While lighter loads of snow falling on you may just be an annoyance, large loads mixed with ice chunks can be a hazard. This is especially important for .
Don’t Walk on Your Roof
We strongly advise NOT walking on your roof during the . The snow and ice make the surface of your roof a very slippery surface to walk on. For your safety, leave it to the roofing contractors. In general, it is best to stay off of the roof during the winter because walking on the snow can compact it, turning it into sheets of ice that can cause snow dams.
Invest in Preventative Measures
There are also preventative measures you can take to prevent ice damming on your roof. For example, making sure that your home and attic are properly insulated can significantly reduce your risk of future ice damming. In turn, this prevents water from seeping through your ceiling, creating a big mess and water damage repair expenses.
Eikenhout is a building supply company that is dedicated to helping homeowners and contractors find high-quality building products for their next project. If you are interested in our inventory of residential and commercial building supplies, please feel free to call any of our nine Michigan locations.
