Snow on your roof is a fact of life when you live in Maine. Keeping your home safe and sound may sometimes require snow and ice removal from your roof. The weight of too much snow can compromise your roof, and in extreme cases, cause roof failure.One cubic foot of dry snow weighs about seven pounds, while a cubic foot of wet snow weighs anywhere from 12 to 18 pounds. While most roofs are designed to handle excess snow, there’s potential for structural damage, with large, flat roofs posing the greatest risk. It is important to carefully monitor how much snow is accumulating on your roof because the deeper and wetter the snow, the more weight your roof is bearing. Keep your roof and property safe with timely, safely executed snow removal and roof raking.
The Trusty Roof Rake
To ride out the winter months and any amount of snowfall that comes your way, it is advisable that you have the proper tools, such as a roof rake, on hand.The best tool for safely removing snow from your home’s roof, is a good quality roof rake with an adjustable handle. The adjustable handle allows a homeowner to reach the lower sections of the roof and safely remove snow from the ground. Plan ahead in the fall and purchase a good quality roof rake before winter sets in. Adding snow preparedness to your annual fall tasks will bring you peace of mind.
Remember, not all snow needs to be removed from your roof. Removing just some, particularly along the edges, is often enough to decrease the weight the roof is bearing and it also allows room for the remaining snow to melt faster or slip off. Start from the edge and work your way into the roof. Try to shave the snow down to a 2 or 3 inches on the roof instead of scraping the roof clean, which will risk damage to your shingles or other roof covering. Keep in mind that any metal tool could conduct electricity if it touches a power line. Also, metal tools will do more damage to your roof.
Do not attempt to climb onto a snow-covered roof. Also, don’t use a ladder since ice tends to build up on both the rungs of the ladder and the soles of your boots. Never use electric heating devices or open-flame devices to remove snow and ice. If you are not able to safely remove the snow from the ground with an adjustable roof rake, call Horch Roofing to have our experienced professionals assist in snow removal.
How Much Snow Is Too Much Snow?
This can be a tough question and sometimes, is best left to a roofing professional. There are many variables that can affect the answer:
- Age and condition of roof
- Type of roofing material (metal, asphalt, rubber)
- Pitch of roof
- Amount of snow
- Weight and depth of snow (light and fluffy or heavy and wet)
- Sun exposure to assist in melting
If you are concerned about snow or ice compromising the structural integrity of your roof and home, don’t hesitate to call Horch Roofing at 207.273.1111. We offer seasonal snow removal contracts for peace of mind or our crews can come out on a time and materials basis for snow removal, preventing damage to your property. Heat tape installation on eaves, gutters and valleys can provide preventative defense against an abundance of snow and ice. Contact our experienced estimators today to provide a quote for snow guards on metal roofs, heat tape installation or metal valleys. https://horchroofing.com/contact/
Horch Roofing is coastal Maine’s trusted roofing contractor. We have been roofing homes from Kittery to Castine since 2003 and serve the communities of Maine from our offices in Warren and Westbrook. We also have a dedicated Northern Maine sales estimator serving Hancock County and Bar Harbor. Horch Roofing installs Metal Roofing, Asphalt Shingle Roofing, EPDM Rubber Roofing, and Seamless Gutters for both residential and commercial roofing projects. We offer free roofing and gutter replacement estimates.. You can call us at (207) 273-1111, visit us at 2414 Camden Road in Warren, or contact us online.