Normal amounts of snow that builds up on roofs should not cause a problem for most homeowners. Unfortunately, large amounts of snow may cause excessive weight problems. Ice dams can also build up and cause severe damage to roofs and the underlying structure. You may not even notice the damage until the evidence of leaking begins to appear on the interior of your home.
Ice dams build up when ice and snow on upper areas of the roof melt and run down to the outer edges of the roof that are colder. The runoff freezes and can build up underneath the shingles of the roof causing damage to the sheathing underneath. A common sign of ice dams are large chunks of ice and multiple large icicles hanging from gutters.
Chopping or heavy scrapping of the shingles on a roof can cause damage and these methods should be avoided. Using heat to melt ice dams should really only be done by professionals that are trained in what they are doing. If you notice signs of ice damn formation, you should consult a professional contractor.
Special roof rakes can be used for removing excess amounts of snow. Always use caution when working on roofs, in icy areas and when raking snow off roofs. Roof rakes will have handles up to 24 feet in length but will still be light enough to work with. Snow is swept off the roof downwards while the homeowner remains far enough way to avoid the falling snow. Most of the work is done by gravity without any great amount of effort for the homeowner.
Gutters and downspouts should be kept clear to allow water to drain away when snow and ice thaws. If water becomes frozen inside of the downspouts, the aluminum or vinyl material can become damaged from expansion. Homeowners should also ensure that the run-off from the downspouts does not build up on sidewalks or driveways causing icing problems on those areas.
Norwalk/La Mirada, CA 91766 | (562) 219-4085
