Winter is coming! Yes, as overused as that phrase is these days, there is never moment where winter really isn’t right around the corner, especially when you live in Ottawa. No time is too late or too soon to prepare for the wintry weather and hazards that come with it. Take a moment to read over these useful roofing tips and learn about some great tools for dealing with winter and keeping your home safe and sound throughout the snowy months.
The Best Winter Tools for your Roof
It doesn’t matter where you live in Ontario, you are bound to get some snow. Even a light amount of snow can spell trouble for your roof, especially when it starts freezing, melting, and refreezing. Also, large amounts of snow can put a strain on your roof. If your building is older, this can be a true test of strength (and faith). For some, it might be easier to get a snow removal team to get the snow off the roof, but if you have a roof snow shovel—a specially designed shovel for dragging snow off the roof—you can do the job yourself.
Roof snow shovels are much safer than traditional shovels and rakes because they have a unique design that keeps them from damaging shingles. You can purchase a roof snow shovel at the local hardware store, supermarket, or even from construction businesses.
Useful Additions For Winter
Have you ever heard of snow guards? These are an awesome addition for your roof in the winter. You did need to make sure that the roof of your property can tolerate a pile up of snow, though. The purpose of snow guards is to allow only a small portion of snow to slip through, letting safer amounts pour down onto a sidewalk or deck. This prevents those avalanches that sometimes tear down gutters and create dangerous icicles. Snow guards are available for standing seams, slate roofing, shingles, or can even be custom-made.
Other Tips For Wintertime
When you go to remove snow from your roof, never scrape at what clings to the roof. If you do, you could damage the shingles or other roofing materials, reducing their durability and longevity. Let ice melt naturally. If you want, you can also get a special deicing solution with salt that will help with rooftop melt, but this can also damage the roof. You should also apply deicer to gutters. That way, as ice and snow slides towards the gutters, the deicer will turn that weight into water.
These tips will help keep your roof from getting damaged over winter and also make life for you easier. Knowing how to deal with snow and ice is key to ensuring your roof stays strong for many years. Investing in deicer and a roof snow shovel are just two ways to manage wintry conditions. Also, don’t forget to have your roof inspected by a professional roofer before winter to find any issues before the snowfall begins!
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