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You’re no stranger to snow and ice, we get it. Central New Yorkers pride themselves on tackling snow better than Santa. When it comes to your roof, it’s not just about getting the snow and ice off the roof. It’s about knowing the nuances of winter roof safety. POP QUIZ: Do you know what causes ice dams more than anything? Keep reading to find the answer. There are some safety concerns and smart maneuvers to protect your roof and your family. Using an experienced team like The Roofing Guys offers immediate relief and long-term solutions. Here are 5 things to consider with snow and ice removal on the roof. 1. Safety Standards Removing snow and ice from a roof is risky if you aren’t trained in safety steps. Even the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers several warning documents about the dangers of snow and ice removal. A homeowner can quickly overexert themselves by removing heavy snow from the roof or risk injury trying to bust up ice dams. The Roofing Guys are certified in snow and ice removal safety. Let us do the work for you. 2. It’s Complicated Icicles, ice dams, and layers of snow are complicated challenges on a home or business roof. Sometimes you don’t want to remove all the snow for insulation. Other times you need emergency snow removal to prevent excessive weight on your roof. Even using the wrong roof rake can spell trouble. Your roof or home could have defects contributing to the problem that an experienced roofer can spot on sight. Take the guesswork out of the roof cleaning with a trusted roofing team that gets it right “every Shingle time.” 3. Roof Cleaning Damage Risks Without expertise in roof raking or ice dam removal, you can actually add more damage to your shingles, gutters, or underlayment. Even if you don’t want to spend the money on a winter roof cleanup, you could set yourself up for a much bigger bill on roof repair down the road. Some roof de-icers can be dangerous for kids or pets. While they might solve the ice problems, they could also lead to serious health risks. The Roofing Guys team can also do a free inspection while cleaning the roof to offer solutions that optimize snow melt and runoff in the future. 4. Ice Dams & Icicle Dangers We understand there’s nothing quite as satisfying as breaking up an ice dam on the roof. We’ve also seen more harm than good done by people trying to DIY when a professional roofer can solve the problem in the short term and offer long-term solutions to keep the problem from happening. There’s also a danger when breaking up ice that people below could be injured when the ice falls or slip on fallen ice.

Syracuse is the snowiest city in the country, and the weight of snow and ice on your home’s roof can measure in the tons during the big snowstorms we know are imminent. Are your roof and gutters ready for winter? The Roofing Guys from Syracuse have roof-ready advice for all homeowners. Get In the Gutters With abundant foliage and dynamic colors, you can’t beat fall in CNY. The leaves sure can beat down your roof and gutter systems. The first thing you should do is remove debris from the gutters. You can get on a ladder and clean them out by hand or with tools. Wear a mask to protect yourself from allergens and bacteria that could be built up. You should also check the chimney for blockages or built-up debris. Check the chimney cap and inspect for damage. Fix the Dam Problem Ice dams are common in CNY and Syracuse in the freeze-thaw cycles and can build up slowly over the course of a season or year. Leaving ice dams untreated can be dangerous for your roof and the people below the lurking mass of ice and snow. A snow rake and proper gutter cleaning can reduce the impact, but it will be hard to avoid the risk altogether. Just be consistent when raking during each storm, especially on the roof's side facing the sun. Attic Overview During one of the colder days, go into your attic and check the insulation for wear and tear or mold buildup. See if there are seal barriers broken where cold air or moisture is seeping in. Insulation issues can cause more ice dams and structural damage and risk your home's air quality and energy efficiency. Stock Up Don’t wait until the first big snowstorm to get your rock salt, snow rake, and insulated gloves. Gutter heat tape is another great tool to keep the weight of the snow from damaging gutters. These items will sell out quickly, especially with ongoing supply chain issues in the northeast, so get them now. This is also a great time to make sure you’re signed up for Snow Safety Alerts from the city of Syracuse. Trim Trees Trimming the trees that loom above a roof can avoid any ice storm or heavy snow disasters. It’s also better for the three to trim in winter when they are dormant and less likely to have future growth impacted. Ideally, you should do this between November and March. Schedule a Roof Inspection That summer heatwave from August or storm damage from the spring and summer could have worn, torn, or cracked some roofing materials. You could also have leaks at connection points to the chimney, windows, attic, or vents. The Roofing Guys are experienced in checking for all the risks a homeowner might not see. This is also a good time to schedule your post-winter roof inspection with The Roofing Guys to check for damage, leaks, or repair work in the spring. The Number You’ll Need for Winter Roof Inspections and Repairs Call The Roofing Guys now to schedule your winter roof inspection. Our number is (315)558-9511. You should also store that number in your contact list now in case of a roofing emergency this winter, as The Roofing Guys offer 24-hour service.

Your roof is one of the most valuable components to your home, it protects everything you hold dearly from your possessions to the people you love.