When the first day of winter rolls around, we are reminded of the long list of home maintenance tasks that need to be taken care of. Whether you are calling in the pros for this year’s snow removal services or managing it yourself, it’s important to start organizing in advance.
The typical tasks seen on a long list of winter maintenance include: salting the sidewalks, shovelling the driveway, and scheduling a duct cleaning. However, the one important task that tends to be forgotten is roof raking.
This winter season, be sure to add roof raking to your snow removal services to protect both the interior and exterior of your home. Keep reading to learn how winter’s snow and icicles can damage your roof and why hiring professional snow removal services or roofing contractors is a must.
How Canadian Weather Damages Your Roof
Canadian winter is known for its white, fluffy snow. But keep in mind that the same snow that falls on your driveway is also on your roof. Over time, this can cause immense damage and can create problems for your home. As the snow collects on your roof, the weight adds up. It is said that one square foot of snow can weigh up to 60 pounds! This is a lot for your roof, especially a flat roof, to carry and support.
Snow buildup often forms into ‘ice dams’, which prevents water from flowing and melting. Although snow and icicles are beautiful to look at, they can cause exterior damage to your shingles and gutters and create interior issues, such as leaks and cave-ins. To prevent this from happening, be sure to connect with reviewed snow removal pros or roofing contractors.
What is Roof Raking and Why Hire Professional Snow Removal Services?
Since you’ve already hired your landscaper for this year’s snow removal services, be sure to inquire about roof raking. A roof rake is a tool that many professional snow removal companies and roofing contractors keep on hand for use during the winter season. Similar to its predecessor the leaf rake, a roof rake is an efficient tool used for clearing spaces. However, one significant difference between the two rakes is the shaft’s length. Since a roof rake needs to reach greater heights, it is made with adjustable length extensions that allow snow removal pros to easily access your snow-covered roof. As ladders are dangerous to use during the winter season, the length extension is a necessary component to keeping the professionals working on your roof safe.
Add Roof Raking to This Year’s Snow Removal Service
Even in the warmer cities and provinces, a typical Canadian winter can see between forty to sixty centimetres of snow per year. As the snow continues to fall, it’s important to keep a watchful eye on how much is piling up on your roof. There is an unwritten rule that six inches of snow or more means it’s a good time to bring out the roof rake. By adding roof raking to this year’s snow removal tasks, you will be helping prevent unwanted damage (and costly fixes) to the interior and exterior of your home.
If the idea of clearing excess snow from your roof feels like an unnecessary battle, we encourage you to connect with professional snow removal services and roofing contractors who come equipped with the right tools and experience.
