Winter weather can be beautiful, but it can also be incredibly dangerous. One of the most common dangers posed by heavy snowfall is excess snow accumulating on the roof of a home or building. Too much snow on a roof is more than just an eyesore; it can cause serious damage to the structure and put anyone inside at risk. That’s why it’s important to know when and how you should remove excess snow from your roof—and when to call in the professionals at Western Construction and Roofing.
Why Remove Excess Snow?
The most pressing issue when it comes to excessive amounts of snow on a roof is that it adds an enormous amount of weight that the structure may not be able to handle. It’s especially important to keep an eye on flat roofs, which are more likely to suffer from too much weight due to their design. Over time, this extra weight can lead to structural damage such as sagging roofs, cracks in walls or ceilings, or even total collapse.
In addition, heavy snow buildup can cause ice dams—blocks of frozen water that form along the edge of a roof and prevent melting snow from draining properly. Water trapped behind these dams may find its way into attics and other vulnerable areas of your home or business. Also, when temperatures start to rise after a cold winter day, water runoff from melting snow adds to stress on the roof decking and gutters. If this happens repeatedly over time, you could end up with leaking, water damage, or mold issues caused by water seeping into the attic insulation or other parts of your home causing costly issues.
When To Call The Experts?
Although removing excess snow from a flat or shallow-pitched roof is relatively easy. Start by using a rooftop rake—a tool designed specifically for this purpose—to clear away as much snow as possible without risking injury or damaging your roof shingles or tiles.
Taller pitched roofs require professional attention due to their height and steep slopes. If you don’t feel comfortable climbing onto the roof yourself (which is understandable!),That’s why we recommend calling in a trusted local contractor like Western Construction and Roofing if you have more than four inches of thick ice and/or heavy wet snow sitting atop your house for an extended period of time (longer than 24 hours). This way you can keep your family safe while avoiding costly repairs down the road.
It’s important to remember that leaving excess amounts of snow piled up on top of your house or business is never a good idea; it puts unnecessary stress on the structure while also making your home or business vulnerable against water damage caused by melting ice or sudden rainstorms during warmer days. If you ever find yourself dealing with heavy wet snow or thick layers of ice that are too difficult for you to tackle alone, don’t hesitate in giving Western Construction and Roofing a call so they can take care of it for you!