During the winter period around Utah, one chief risk to your roof that you should be aware of is heavy snow buildup. In particular, the concept of snow drift can create significant pressure and weight issues for roofs – what is snow drift roof pressure, and why is roof snow removal important to avoid it?
At The Roof Doctor, we’re here to help with a huge range of roof repair and maintenance services around Salt Lake City, West Jordan, Sandy, West Valley City, Tooele and nearby areas of Utah – including expert snow removal services for not just your roof, but also the rest of your property. Here are some basics on what snow drift is and how it puts uneven pressure on your roof, plus why targeted snow removal works and some signs that it’s time to call our team this winter for expert snow removal services.
What is Snow Drift?
Also sometimes used in a single word as “snowdrift,” snow drift refers to situations where wind blows snow into piles on your roof or other parts of your property. These situations are more common in certain areas, particularly those with high winds and large amounts of snowfall, such as mountain regions like Utah.
Because snow quantities and wind can both be significant, snow will often build up quite unevenly across your roof. This leads to significant pressure and weight on some areas of your roof, while other areas have very little snow. The result can be significant damage to the structure of your roof, particularly for older and weaker roofs.
Pressure Impact
Due to this uneven pressure, certain specific parts of your roof may begin to deteriorate over time. This can manifest in a number of ways, including cracks, leaks, and even structural damage.
In the worst such cases, even a full collapse of certain areas can occur, leading to serious safety concerns and costly repairs. This is why regular maintenance and inspection of your roof’s structure is crucial, especially during winter months.
How Targeted Snow Removal Helps
Luckily, it’s possible to easily avoid the above-mentioned issues by being proactive about snow removal on your roof. Targeted snow removal involves regularly clearing off any accumulated snow in specific areas of your roof where it can cause problems, such as around chimneys, vents, and other protrusions.
This helps prevent excess weight from building up in these areas, allowing the rest of your roof to bear the load more evenly. It also helps avoid direct pressure on certain weak spots that may be prone to damage.
Another benefit of targeted snow removal is that it allows for better drainage and reduces the risk of ice dams forming. Ice dams occur when melted snow refreezes along the edges of a roof, creating a barrier that prevents proper drainage and potentially causing water to seep into your home. By removing snow from these areas, you can prevent ice dams from forming and potentially avoid costly damage to your roof and home.
Signs It’s Time to Call in the Professionals
There may be certain cases where a DIY approach to limited needs for snow drift removal can be robust enough to handle the job. This includes settings where your roof is relatively low from the ground, and you’re able to reach up to key areas with a shovel or another extended item without any safety risk.
However, there are also certain situations where you should be calling the pros – whether for safety or the effectiveness of the job. Some examples include:
- No safe roof access: If you do not feel comfortable or confident in safely accessing your roof, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Trying to remove snow drifts from a high and steep roof without proper training and equipment can lead to serious injuries.
- Large or heavy snow drifts: If your property has accumulated large or heavy snow drifts, attempting to remove them yourself may not be feasible or safe. In these cases, professional equipment such as a snow plow or blower may be necessary for efficient removal.
- Visible roof sagging or ceiling leaks: Have you begun to notice signs of roof sagging or water leaks on your ceilings? This could be a result of excess snow accumulation on your roof, and it’s important to address this issue as soon as possible. Contacting a professional snow removal company can help prevent further damage to your property.
- Ice dams: Ice dams are formed when melting snow refreezes at the edge of a roof, causing water to back up and potentially leak into your home. If you notice thick layers of ice forming along the edges of your roof, it’s best to call in professionals who have experience with removing ice dams safely and effectively.
At The Roof Doctor, we’re here to provide expert snow removal services to clients around SLC, West Jordan, Sandy, West Valley City, Tooele and nearby areas of Utah. Contact us today to learn more about these or any of our other roof services!
