subject: Winter Storms: The After Care [print this page] Your roof is an important part of your homeYour roof is an important part of your home. It will protect your home from the snow and ice about to start flying. But who will protect your roof? A Minneapolis roofing company can help you prepare your roof for the upcoming winter. It is important to know what work you can do yourself and what you need help doing. Winter can bring some unique challenges.
A Large Snow Storm, the After Effects
Large amounts of snow on your roof can lead to ice dams and put a lot of extra weight and stress on it. There is a special tool called a roof rake. Using this tool to slowly pull snow down in the direction of the slope of your roof. Never pull snow across your shingles or worse use a shovel to remove snow from your roof. These two things can lead to damage of your shingles and possibly even cause leaks.
Ice Dams, the Damage They Can Cause
Ice dams can cause a lot of winter damage on your roof left unchecked. Large icicles hanging from your roof are a visual sign that you may be developing problems with ice dams. Ice dams form around the perimeter of your roof and stop the flow of melting snow. They can push up under your roof and lead to extensive damage to both your roof and the interior of your home as water melts into your attic. They should be removed quickly.
Before chipping at ice make certain you have removed any extra snow using your roof rake. Then you can chip at the ice to try and get the water moving. When it comes to ice dams you may be best served contacting a Minneapolis roofing company. Having a professional roofer remove your ice dams can prevent you from getting hurt or from inadvertently damaging shingles while chipping at the ice.
What to do After the Hail Falls
Hail is frozen rain. It forms frozen solid ice balls or pellets. It can range in size from very small to golf ball sized plus, and the damage it causes can range just as largely.
After hail storms look around at ground level to see if there has been damage done. If your car has dents or cracked windshields chances are your roof has sustained damage. If your foliage around the house looks battered and war-torn, you should be concerned about your roof.
You should have a Minneapolis roofing company out to look at your roof after hail storms to do a complete investigation.
When a Fix Cant Wait
You may have damage from winter storm that requires a Minneapolis roofing company, but until they arrive at your home you will need to deal with. For example if winter storms have broken through windows or your roof its self youll want to get it covered temporarily. These temporary fixes can stop water and snow from entering your home further and causing more damage.
A waterproof canvas tightly covering leaking areas can hold water off until your roofers arrive.
Some Last Minute Winter Tips
After snow and hail storms your roof can be icy and slippery, DONT ever step on to it. Do all your investigation from a ladder. Not only is it dangerous for you, walking on your roof can cause further damage. Dont risk the fall, call a Minneapolis roofing company for a more thorough investigation.
Be prepared for the snow and hail storms about to hit. You need clean gutters to start with. Clean gutters will reduce the chance your roof has ice dams. Most importantly keep in mind ice and snow can make it treacherous to go out on your roof yourself, a Minneapolis roofing company is trained to handle the conditions give them a call.
