Done Shoveling? Start Raking!—Ice Dams are Preventable!
The snow is pretty for photos and fun for snowmobilers, skiers, boarders and sledders but not so great for our houses. With accumulated snow well into the foot range already, there is another necessary chore to add to the list to avoid homeowner headaches that come with the snow melt. We have to remove the snow from our roofs!
Though a shingled roof won’t pop like the Metrodome did over the weekend (CLICK HERE to View), ceilings have been known to become waterlogged and collapse under the stress of too much snow and ice dams.
Avoid ice dams and rake that roof! Yep pull that funny looking backwards shovel with the extension pole out of the garage and carefully pull off the snow. Ignoring the problem could cost thousands of dollars to repair the damage to roof or interior due to ice and water when that foot of snow starts the freeze/thaw cycle over the next few months!
So how does a roof rake work? Carefully raise the rake over the edge of the roof as far back as the rake will reach and pull down the snow. Be certain to wear a hat, boots and gloves as most of the snow WILL land very close to you….if not right on your head! It’s not hard to do if the snow is fluffy. Even a novice like me can handle a roof rake.
Don’t have a roof rake? This is the year to buy one! It’s only a $20-30 investment and the pole is in two sections for storage. Not a do-it-yourselfer? Or have a two story home where the rake won’t reach? Call in a professional to remove the snow. This is not the year to ignore the snow and hope it won’t be a problem. It looks like we are in for a long snow-filled winter so take action now. Ice dams are preventable!
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