Rooftop snow removal in snow season?

The fun, festive air that snow brings this time of year must put rooftop snow removal in a skewed position where you’re standing. After all, the snow season is never complete without the snow man and snow angel fun. This and the fun that come in one package with the holidays may put snow on the spotlight. At the same time, you may all too easily turn a blind eye on the need to be rid of snow before you have just too much. How much is too much now, anyway? Why do you need to scoop them out and why is does timing matter? Come to think of it, don’t we dress up and gear up for snow season? Why spoil the fun right in the middle of it and think of rooftop snow removal? Well, here’s why.

There is no moderation or regulation where snowfall is concerned.

In fact, snow seems to be breaking its record of snowfall year after year. Far from your initial thought, the risks snow brings on your roof are far too dangerous to be ignored. Too much snow on your roof can potentially lead it to collapse. While thick snow on the roof may prompt you to remove the snow that’s there, this plan of action needs to be taken with utmost care and caution. In fact, removing snow on your own may not even be sensible even with the proper equipment around. As reported by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, roof snow removal puts both people and the roofing structure at great risk. The term they use is snow-induced structural failure.

Roof structural failure can generally be affected by a lot of factors.

For one thing, there’s the make of the roof. The shape and slope, the construction, and the maintenance the roof receives are only a few of the key factors that may or may not cause the roof to topple in the process of rooftop snow removal. Then you also have to consider its exposure to the wind and the amount and type of snow that piled up on the rooftop. Consider this. There’s snow that’s loose, fluffy, and relatively fresh. This type weighs a lot less compared to wet, heavy snow. Imagine if you have ice on your rooftop. Ice weighs approximately 57 pounds a square foot. Now just imagine the size of your roof. Your roof may have a mix of snow and ice. So before you commence on a dangerous mission of rooftop snow removal, find out first if it is safe and necessary.

Consult your snow removal experts for advice.

They can accurately examine your roof’s stability and determine if your roof can withstand the weight of the snow and ice that have accumulated on your rooftop. In most cases, roofs can withstand about 20 pounds per square foot of snow. But you would not want to make a hunch when it comes to this matter. Your rooftop snow removal experts can better evaluate how much your roof is likely to support. Given these circumstances, it is likely that a snow rake can do your rooftop some good. A snow rake can help you clear excess snow and ice. You can do this on your own, but it is best to seek the expertise of the snow removal services providers in Iowa. Save yourself the unnecessary worry and risk of paying for a rooftop repair if things go wrong with your self-help snow removal.

Your rooftop snow removal experts have trained senses to spot sagging tiles, creaking noises, cracks, and leaks.

These are indicators of a stressed roof. These are danger signs that tell you to halt any attempt to clean or even scrape snow and ice off your rooftop. Your rooftop snow removal experts would know when it’s wise to remove snow or not. Removing snow when it’s not necessary can damage your roof badly and result in leaks. Snow varies in different regions. Light, fluffy snow falls in the west. Eastern regions receive the heavier snowfall. Therefore, it pays to know your snow, too.

FAQ: Does rooftop snow removal vary for different types of roof?

Apart from knowing your snow, it is as important to also know your rooftop. The luckiest home owners have metal roofs. Snow simply slides off of metal roofs with the help of the heat of the sun. You will shed no sweat in rooftop snow removal if you have a metal roof! If you have a flat roof, well, it’s a different story. Flat roofs require greater effort to clean. So if you’re thinking of doing it yourself to spare some bucks, don’t. You will need strength and manpower to complete the task. What about a sloped roof? On sloped roofs, you will commonly find asphalt shingles. If you employ force in treating them, you will only shorten their life span or worse, damage them altogether. Slope roofs require extra care and caution.

You will need to choose your methods and tools with utmost care.

A combination of metal and plastic snow removal tools will do. Avoid metal tools with ragged edges. These type of tools get caught on your roof’s shingles and damage them. Plastic snow shovels are good as they are less likely to catch on shingles.

What All American Turf Beauty Says About Rooftop Snow Removal

As snow accumulates on your rooftops this snow season, begin to understand the timing necessary to remove it or let it be. Gain advantage with professional advice from the best team of rooftop snow removal experts in Iowa. Call us today and talk to our lawn care experts at 1-800-365-8873.