Here’s a few tips to help you prevent damage from the build up of snow and ice.
Why clearing snow off your roof is so important
Too much snow and ice on the roof of your home can compromise the structure and cause leaking. That’s why you should always clear snow off your roof if you see a build-up of snow over 60 cm high.
Make sure your roof has been cleared off when the forecast calls for rain or ice storms, because this can weigh down the snow that’s already on your roof.
For safety reasons, it’s a good idea to call a company that specializes in roof snow removal. These companies have the equipment that’s needed to do the job safely.
If you prefer to do it yourself, we recommend clearing the snow off your roof while standing on the ground, using a telescopic snow rake. It’s also a good idea to leave about a 10 cm thick layer of snow, so that you don’t damage the surface of the roof.
Watch out for ice damming!
If you see ice build-up on the edges of your roof, it may be a sign that your house is losing heat through the roof.
When a house has poor air circulation or lack of insulation in the attic, warm air rises and the temperature of the roof goes up. Then, snow melts on the roof, water stays trapped there and a layer of ice starts to form along the slopes of the roof. This build-up of ice prevents water on the roof from draining off, which can cause leaking.
To prevent the risk of damage, ice build-up should be removed as soon as possible. We recommend calling a snow removal expert, so that they can clear the roof safely, and without damaging your house. You can also talk to an expert about assessing the condition of your roof. There may be some work you need to do to prevent ice damming from happening again.
Don’t forget to clear snow off your balcony, off your carport, and around the basement windows
Did you know that if you let lots of snow build up on your balcony all winter that it can damage the structure, and possibly cause it to collapse? That’s why it’s important to clear off your balcony every time it snows. Also, in an emergency, the balcony may serve as your emergency exit.
Similarly, basement windows need to be clear, as they can also be emergency exits in case of a fire, for example. Too much snow around the basement windows can also cause leaking.
It’s also important to clear snow off your carport, to prevent snow and ice from weighing the structure down and collapsing on your car, or even endangering your family. You should always stay outside the carport when clearing snow off it, so that it doesn’t collapse onto you.
We hope you’ll find these tips useful and that they help you enjoy winter safely. Even though snow can be lots of fun in the winter, it’s important to know about the consequences that too much snow can have on your home!