Snow Storm Forecast in New Hampshire - Avoid Being Sued - Be Prepared!

With winter upon us in New Hampshire, removing snow from your roof can help eliminate ice build-up damages to your home from water leaking or event worse a roof collapse.

Here are a few tips when removing snow from a roof:

• Use a snow rake to clear your roof when possible.

• Know where the electrical lines are and stay clear of them with the rake. Also know the location of skylights and roof vents before removing the snow.

• If you must get on the roof, move cautiously with the use of a safety harness on steeper slopes to prevent falls.

• Place ladders on a secure footing.

• Consider working with a partner and who remains on the ground when removing snow from a pitched roof.

• Always shovel down the roof. Shoveling upward can cause shingle damage.

• Leave 2” to 3” of snow on the roof to help eliminate shingle damage.

• Removing snow from at least the bottom 4 feet of the slope will help eliminate ice back up.

• Stay hydrated and know your limits to prevent back injury.

Roof Damage

If the structure is showing signs of damage due to snow build-up, call a qualified contractor to remove the snow and stabilize the structure. If you are a business owner and snow or ice falls from your building and a customer or passerby is struck and injured, you may be liable and possibly sued. It may be a good investment to hire a contractor to make sure your roof is in good condition and ask the contractor on how to control ice and snow build up. Things you can look for are signs of cracked ceilings, broken rafters, stressed or cracked windows and doors. Your local code enforcement officer can also assist to determine if the structure is fatigued from snow load and what precautions are recommended.

Flat Roofs

Pay close attention to the snow levels on a flat roof as the depth can be deceiving from a ground level view. Wind swept snow can overload sections of the roof system resulting in an uneven snow load and possible roof problems. When assistance is needed to remove snow from a roof, many local roofing contractors offer this type of service. Shop a few different contractors ahead of time so you a ready in case you need them in an emergency. Always remember, the best alternative to prevent ice dams, backups and snow loads is to shovel your roof consistently throughout the winter months.