Why Should You Hire a Professional Roofer for Roof Snow Removal?

Winter snows can be beautiful, but they can also wear down and damage your roof. That’s why roof snow removal is so important. Sometimes, people try to do this themselves, thinking it’ll save them money. However, hiring a professional roofer for snow removal can save you time and money because a roofer will know how to properly remove snow to protect your roof and home from damage from ice dams and other causes.

Impacts of Accumulating Snow on a Residential Roof

Ice and snow, while beautiful, can be dangerous in excess. But how much is too much? It depends on a few things.

Not all snow is the same. Wet snow is twice as heavy as dry snow, which means that if you have 6 inches of wet, heavy snow, it will be the equivalent of 12 inches of fluffy, dry snow. Ice is heavier than snow. If your area experiences freezing rain or ice dams start to form on your roof, this will increase the weight load on your roof.

The roof of residential homes has a specific load capacity it can handle, which can vary depending on the region's building codes. Roofs that exceed the load capacity risk structural damage to the trusses or rafters, which can bend or crack. If this happens, the roof has a potential risk of collapsing.

Roof Snow Removal - DIY vs Pro

Snow removal from a roof may sound like a simple task. However, if done incorrectly, there are several risks and many things that can go wrong.

Risks of DIY Snow Removal

When someone chooses to remove the snow from their roof on their own, they risk physical harm from slips and falls, prolonged cold exposure, ladder accidents, and potential damage to their roof. This is because many people use improper removal techniques, such as a metal shovel or pick, which can scrape and damage the shingles. 

Not only that, but even after all that effort, many homeowners leave the job half-done. They think removing the visible snow is enough, often missing ice dams or compacted layers that will continue to damage their roof over time.

Hiring a Professional Roofer for Snow Removal

Hiring a professional roofer to remove the snow on your roof may seem expensive upfront, but it could save you hundreds of dollars in repair and replacement costs.

Trained roofing professionals, like the ones here at Rick Bangerter Roofing, have specialized equipment for snow removal and the expertise to do it safely. A roofer knows the methods for preserving the roof's structural integrity in the long term. They can spot hazards, such as the formation of ice dams, weakened tiles or shingles, gaps between the shingles where water can seep through, and clodded or damaged gutters that can lead to damage, and they can provide homeowners with recommendations for prevention. 

If you need help clearing snow off your roof, contact us today to schedule an appointment.