Winter in the Midwest can be harsh, unpredictable, and damaging. In fact, storm damage in St. Louis happens to some extent almost every year. It’s time for St. Louis homeowners to create a home maintenance strategy to protect their most significant investment – their home – and keep it warm and snug for the winter. Developing a plan to keep snow off your rooftop is an important consideration.
Damage from snow accumulation is one of the most common reasons that homeowners call Shamrock Roofing and Construction for winter storm damage cleanup in St. Louis.
Top Reasons to Keep Snow Off the Roof
Prevents structural damage. Snow is heavy. This is especially true for packed snow that has accumulated over several weeks or months. The weight of a heavy snowfall can actually do damage to your home’s structure, shifting it in ways it wasn’t built to go in and threatening your safety. In extreme circumstances, too much snow can create a roof collapse!
Prevents ice dams. Ice dams are common in the St. Louis area and the rest of the Midwest. If snow and ice are allowed to build up on the eaves, ice dams may form, resulting in costly damage to the roof. When an ice dam forms, melting snow has no way to drain properly. This means fresh snowmelt has to freeze in place, on top of the ice that is already there. Eventually, the ice pushes up under the eaves or shingles. That’s when the trouble starts. Once everything thaws out, you may be left with roof damage or water damage to the interior of the home.
Prevents anyone from getting hurt. Excessive snow accumulation improves the chances of an avalanche-type drop. When snow gets too heavy, it starts to lean and will eventually catapult off the rooftop. This can be alarming – if not outright harmful – to anyone standing in the way down below. Regular snows removal will help you prevent this type of accident.
Ways to Safely Remove Snow
Of course, safely removing snow is easier said than done. Here are several strategies for avoiding winter storm damage in St. Louis this winter:
- Get a roof inspection. A roof inspection is one of the first steps for winterizing your home and avoiding having to pay for storm damage cleanup in St. Louis when the weather warms up. A trusted roofing contractor will check for any signs that your home may be vulnerable to damage from snows and ice. Professional roofers have the best eye for getting your roof prepped for the season. Their input is invaluable when it comes to preventing accidents and roof damage.
- Install snow guards. These winterization devices fit snugly on your rooftop and gradually melt snow as it accumulates. With snow guards, snow won’t have the opportunity to accumulate and overwhelm your rooftop structure. Snows guard installation can be a DIY project, but the help of a professional roofer is recommended.
- Regularly rake your roof. One of the most obvious ways to keep snows from accumulating is to manually remove it before it gets out of hand. Most hardware stores sell roof rakes designed specifically for this purpose. You can do this on your own, but make sure you are trained in how to use the roof rake safely.
Let Shamrock Roofing Help You Protect Your Roof This Winter!
Shamrock Roofing and Construction has over 40 years in the residential roofing business. We’ve seen winter storms you wouldn’t believe – and we’ve seen the damage they cause, too! If you need help winterizing your roof and don’t know where to start, give us a call. It’s not too late to put a plan in place. Shamrock Roofing offers many winter preparation tips and tricks from the preliminary roof inspection to installing snows guards. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!