While a little bit of snow on your roof should never be a major problem, you need to make sure that it doesn’t pile up for long periods of time. Luckily, with a little bit of diligence and a few simple upgrades, you should be able to protect your roof from snow, ice, and standing water.
Use a Roof Rake
After it has snowed for a few days, you might begin to wonder if your roof will be able to handle all of that extra weight. Most modern roofs are incredibly strong, but the structure does have a maximum weight rating, and too much snow could result in cracks and holes. The easiest way to remove snow from the roof is with a long roof rake that you can safely use from the ground.
Install an Ice and Water Shield
When it comes time to replace all of the shingles on your roof, you might want to consider installing an ice and water shield as well. Roofing contractors can usually install the membrane in a matter of hours as long as the shingles are already removed, and that material will help snow and ice slide off your roof. As an added bonus, an ice and water shield is also going to act as an extra layer of protection during heavy rainstorms.
Use Heating Cables
If you live in a particularly cold climate that gets severe snowstorms, then you should probably invest in some heating cables. Those cables are attached to the underside of your roof inside the attic, and they will melt the snow before it piles up. Heating cables can be put up within a matter of minutes, and they are fairly inexpensive to operate. Once you are done with the heating cables for the season, you can easily pull them down and store them until next winter.
Regularly Clean Your Rain Gutters
It is an unfortunate fact that many people never even consider cleaning their rain gutters during the cold winter months, and that can lead to piles of snow as well as ice dams. When your rain gutters fill up, the excess debris could freeze and become a dam. Over time, the dam will only get thicker as the snow pushes up against it and creates an even larger barrier.
Keeping your roof clean and well-maintained is one of your most important duties as a homeowner, and that extra work is going to pay off in the long run. A little bit of preventative maintenance could help you avoid issues such as damaged shingles, bent flashing, and mold on your roof.
