How To Safely Remove Snow From Your Roof in Naperville, IL

As one of the top roofers in Naperville, we provide roof repair in Naperville, but we care about our community and want to spare you unnecessary expenses. Removing accumulated snow is an excellent way to prolong its lifespan.

In this post, we share how to do it safely. If it’s too much for you, call one of the best roofing companies in Naperville, IL, to help.

Assess Whether You Must Remove Snow

Before you remove snow, assess whether it’s necessary. Local building codes make allowance for its weight and factor the required strength into how your roof is built. However, packed wet snow can overstrain your roof. As experienced roofers in Naperville, we can advise you what to look for: signs of bowing or dipping, especially around valleys, hip joints, gables, skylights, and other vulnerable points.

If you live in an old home, it may not be built to current codes. The combined weight of 2 feet of old, frozen snow and 2 feet of fresh snowfall is around 60 pounds per square foot, more than the typical roof can bear. It’s best to remove snow when more than a foot of wet snow has accumulated. If a storm system is on the way, clear preemptively or hire a Naperville roofing company to do it for you.

When Do You Need Roofers in Naperville, IL, To Inspect?

If you see signs of bowing or dipping in your roof or notice signs of damp in your attic or near the ceilings of your rooms, we would advise calling one of the best roofing contractors in Naperville, IL, to assess whether your roof needs to be repaired to stand up to extra weight. A smidgen of prevention is far better than dealing with expensive and health-threatening mold problems or potential roof collapse.

We do roof repair in Naperville, so if you see any potential weak spots, call on Happy Roofing.

Safety Tips

Clearing snow off roofs can be dangerous to you and your roof. That’s why it’s highly recommended to give this job to respected roofing contractors in Naperville, IL. However, if you prefer doing it yourself, do not use sharp objects, such as ice picks or metal snow rakes, to avoid structural damage. Stick to using plastic snow rakes that are gentler on your roof. Avoid using heat sources such as blowtorches to melt the snow; the heat will damage the shingles.

Wear warm clothing to avoid hypothermia and frostbite. Under no circumstances should you use a ladder. Ice can form on the rungs, causing you to slip. Instead, if you cannot reach high enough, call a Naperville roofing company, such as Happy Roofing.

Techniques To Clear Snow From Your Roof

Clear the snow from the bottom of the roof, working upward. Doing so prevents heavy build-ups of snow at the edge of your roof. Scrape down to about 2 to 3 inches of snow, but avoid clearing to the bare shingles. Check the gutters and downspouts for ice dams: should ice dams have formed, use calcium chloride to remove them. Roofing companies in Naperville, IL, have specialized equipment to execute these tasks more efficiently and safely.

Conclusion

Should your roof have gotten damaged, don’t hesitate to contact the best roofers in Naperville, IL. Call Happy Roofing at (630)-234-8331 for the best service and products.