How Snow Can Damage Your Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

26 Fitch Street, Norwalk CT

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

The Northeast is on a lucky streak this season, but we know it’s only a matter of time before the first snowfall of the season. Although the snow is beautiful to look at, the truth is that it can wreak havoc on your roof! That being said, it’s crucial to be prepared for the first snowstorm this winter.

The first step to being prepared is knowing about the damage that can occur. At Phil’s Main Roofing, we know that snow can be a problem for your roof, so we’ve put together a quick list of ways the snow can affect it:

Water Leaking.
Be extra careful if you have a flat roof or a skylight. When it comes to flat roofs, it's easy for water to accumulate when your drains aren't working. And if the water exceeds levels that are higher than your flashing, it could result in water leaks. For those with skylights, it's hard for condensation on the inside to escape when snow builds up. As a result, your skylights could leak. That is why it’s important to remove snow shortly after a storm when it’s light enough outside to see.

Clogged Gutters.
When snow turns to ice, it’s almost impossible to remove it without causing roof or gutter damage. Not to mention, the ice itself can ruin your gutters. That is why it’s vital to remove the snow before it freezes up. If not, there’s a likely chance you could need gutter repairs in the future.

Structural Damage.
If you’ve ever shoveled snow, then you know just how heavy it can be. Although the structure of your roof is strong enough to withstand winds and rain, it isn’t usually made to carry more than a few inches of snow. But of course, every roof is manufactured and installed differently. That is why it’s so important to know how much weight your roof can support and how much snow on your roof weighs.

All it takes to protect your roof from damage is knowing what your roof can handle and what it cannot. To help you eliminate the possibility of leaks and structural complications this winter, turn to Phil’s Main Roofing! We are an award-winning roofing company, serving Norwalk and the surrounding areas. To learn more about how we can shield you and your roof from winter weather conditions, visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today! 

Tips For Using A Roof Rake

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Snow, snow and more snow; it sure seems like that was one of the only weather conditions predicted in our forecast over the past two weeks or so. And although it has slowed down slightly, giving us some time to clean up the wintry mess, we haven't escaped just yet - more snow may be on its way over the next few days!

Since we are currently engulfed in a white wonderland (and likely will be for quite some time), we want to make sure that our readers know how to properly remove heavy accumulations from their roof. As we have mentioned previously, a roof rake is one of the best tools to use when removing snow from the roof; but like any other technique, it must be used correctly. To ensure that your home is not compromised when clearing your roof this winter, keep the following tips for using a roof rake in mind as you go - 

Tip 1: Icicles 

If you cannot see the area in which you are directing your roof rake to, you could hit an icicle without even knowing it. Before you begin to comb your rake over your roof, be sure to inspect from afar to make sure you won't subject yourself to a falling icicle.

Tip 2: Power Lines

Are your home's power lines located only slightly above your roof? Unless your power lines are high enough where your roof rake can't reach, you must be cautious about where you place your roof rake and how you move it; a damaged power line is the last thing you need in the midst of winter snow storms!

Tip 3: Snow Volume

Although you might be inclined to remove as much snow as possible in one shot to reduce the amount of time spent outside, you need to remember that falling snow is heavy and therefore dangerous. Even if your roof rake can handle large quantities of snow, only take down small piles at a time.

Not sure if you're ready to face the snow on your own just yet? If you're uneasy about removing the snow yourself, or, if you don't yet own a roof rake, contact Phil's Main Roofing; we'll handle it for you! And don't forget - we also offer commercial snow plowing services to assist commercial customers clear their territory in the event of a blizzard. To learn more, please visit us at www.philsmainroofing.com or contact us at (203) 838-4545 today,

Snow And Your Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Although our area hasn't seen excessive snowfall just yet, that doesn't mean it isn't going to come by the end of the winter season. And if it does, you'll want to know if and how it can damage your home, right? If so, then you've come to the right place! Thanks to Home Sessive, we've outlined the dangers of heavy snow accumulations as well as the warning signs that suggest your home has been threatened by winter weather; check them out below!

Dangers

While snow covered homes make for a pretty picture, the damage that results from keeping them that way can be devastating for homeowners. When too much snow accumulates on top of your home, its overall weight begins to place a strain on the structure of your roof. Then, when that snow begins to freeze or melt, additional pressure is felt by your home due to the ice or water that develops. Unfortunately, as a result of the added weight, your roof's underlying structure weakens and becomes vulnerable to caving in.

Warning Signs

So how can you tell when enough is enough? If your home exhibits any of the following characteristics following a period of snowfall, it's possible that the roof is about to give out:

• Popping or creaking sounds are coming from the roof.
• Walls are beginning to crack from top to bottom.
• Doors are bursting at the seams or are extremely difficult to open.
• The roof is noticeably sagging.

In order to eliminate the possibility of your roof caving in this winter, it is extremely important to remove any snow immediately following a massive storm. For the best practices on how to do so, click here.

Here at Phil's Main Roofing, we want you to feel safe and secure in your home this winter season. If at any point you start to feel like your roof is no longer stable due to winter weather conditions, please give us a call at (203) 838-4545; we're always ready to help!

Snow Removal Safety Tips

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

 

Though snow isn't in the weather forecast just yet, it's that time of year again where it is to be expected. Since snow is a potentially damaging condition that could lead to costly home repairs, we recently provided our readers with a few of the best tips and tricks to remove it from their roof. However, we also want our readers to be kept safe in the process.

If you're a homeowner who plans to take snow removal into their own hands this winter, keep the following safety tips in mind as you go:

• Never work alone. Before approaching your roof, make sure you have a trusted partner to supervise from the ground. For added protection, you may even want to consider using a safety harness.
• Don't underestimate the snow's strength. It can be tempting to try and pull down as much snow as possible when using a roof rake, however, it's certainly not as light as it seems. Though it may take longer, remove only small sections of snow at a time.
• Just because it looks soft doesn't mean it is. Always keep an eye out for any ice that may have formed on the edge of your roof and take every step with caution if you find yourself working directly on the roof.
• Remember to breathe. Snow removal is tiring and places a lot of strain on the body, which is why it's important to take a break here and there. Even if it means returning to the task later, it's better to sit and breathe when your body says it's time than to push through and keep going - working on your roof while feeling winded is dangerous for both your safety and your health.

For more snow removal safety tips to help you through the season, click here.

At Phil's Main Roofing, we realize that winter weather conditions can cause the need for intricate roof repairs, and since working on your roof is especially dangerous in the winter, we don't want you to do them alone! To help you have a safe season, our roofing experts are available to provide repair and replacement services so that you don't have to place yourself in danger. To learn more about how we can help, please visit us on our website or contact us at (203) 838-4545 today!

How To Remove Snow From Your Roof

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

 

If this year's winter is anything like the last, or, if the recent snow fall in Buffalo is any indication of what we can expect, then it's best to start thinking about how you will handle large snow accumulations on your roof now. Although snow looks light and harmless to the human eye, anyone who has had to shovel excessive piles understands how heavy and damaging it can truly be. Especially when it comes to your roof, it's important to keep an eye on how much snow has piled up since too much can place damaging stress on the structure and cause it to cave in.

When it comes to snow removal, using a snow or a roof rake is always recommended. That's because using a standard snow shovel can cause even further damage to your roof as it scrapes away at the surface when chipping away any snow and ice. Furthermore, although it sounds obvious, never bring a snow blower up to the roof as this is both dangerous and not a feasible way to get the job done.

Although a snow or roof rake is highly recommended, you still need to be mindful of the amount of force you are using since in reality, anything that comes in contact with your roof could be harmful. However, by using this tool as opposed to others, you can help reduce your chances of having to deal with further damage later on.

Are you prepared to handle the snow as it comes this winter? If at any time you feel like this job isn't for you, contact Phil's Main Roofing for help! Our team of licensed roofers would be happy to assist and are fully equipped with the proper tools and techniques to remove the snow from your roof. For more information on how we can help, please give us a call at (203) 838-4545 today!

Preventing and Tending to Ice Dams: A How-To

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

With the weekend forecast calling for potential snow accumulations, it's important to recognize if and when your roof might be in trouble. Ice dams are one of the most damaging weather-related issues and are a direct result of high levels of snow buildup on the roof, so why not try to prevent them while you can? By taking these precautions, your roof (and your attic) could be ice dam free!

1. Don't heat the roof: To prevent an ice dam, keep your roof cold. This way, the snow on your roof will eventually dissipate without leaving too much water behind. Try your best to keep the underside of your roof deck under 30 degrees. 
2. Properly insulate: To maintain low temperatures, there must be adequate insulation and sealing gaps that let warm air pass into the attic from the house. Insulate the areas between the roof rafters, but keep a pathway between the roof deck and insulation to prevent condensation.
3. Ventilate your attic: When your attic is ventilated, cold air is introduced into it and heated air escapes quickly. Some contractors believe that heat passing through the attic helps prevent ice dams, but quite the opposite is true. While heat will melt the snow, once the water reaches the cold eves it freezes and forms an ice dam.

Homes with ice dams on the roof are often left with shadow lines, which are dark lines of moisture that appear on the ceiling. To remove the lines, clean off the mildew with a solution of 1 quart of bleach and 3 quarts of warm water, then rinse with clear water and let it dry. If it appears that the surface is stained, you will need to do some repainting.

Instead of taking a risk this winter, call Phil's Main Roofing and help us help you! Our team of roofing experts can prepare your home to withstand all circumstances, and with our repair and preventative maintenance programs, your roof will be ready to bear a storm in no time.

Call us at 203-838-4545 to schedule your free estimate or visit us online at www.philsmainroofing.com.

How Much Snow Can Your Roof Handle?

Phil's Main Roofing 

(203) 838-4545

www.philsmainroofing.com

With the amount of snow our area has seen recently, you may be questioning whether or not your roof can handle the extra weight. Phil’s Main Roofing suggests reaching for the telephone, rather than a ladder or a shovel to remove the snow yourself.

Removing snow from your roof can be extremely dangerous if you try it out on your own! That’s why a professional from Phil’s Main Roofing will take care of it for you.

Below are a few key tips on what you need to know about removing snow from your roof.

How to determine whether or not the snow needs to be removed: The number one factor in knowing if it’s necessary to remove snow off your roof or not isn't the amount on your roof, it’s the weight. Wet snow is a lot heavier than light fluffy snow, and can be extremely difficult to remove.

How to determine if there’s a problem: The number one test to know whether or not your roof can withstand the snow is if you notice that your doors on interior walls begin to stick. This indicates that there is too much weight on the center structure of your home and its falsifying the door frame.

If you've made the decision that your roof isn't handling the amount of snow on it, call Phil’s Main Roofing! We will handle the job for you. For more information, give us a call at (203) 838-4545.