.png)
Grand Rapids, Minnesota provides the great citizens of its area with a plethora of outdoor activities to take part in within its winter months. Whether it be ripping snowmobiles across the endless amount of beautiful trail systems this terrain provides, ice fishing upon one of the countless lakes within the area, or even trying your hand at strapping up the skates and playing a little stick and puck down at one of the local outdoor rinks - there are a number of items to indulge in and spend your time doing.
Though there are many benefits brought to the table when it comes to the winter of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, with every positive comes a negative. Unfavorable circumstances the citizens of this area do have to enlist in consist of: snow plowing and/or shoveling driveways in order to use a vehicle, salting pathways as to not slip and break a leg, enduring the harshly cold mornings or nights when the trash has to be taken out, and the gruesome roads following or during a blizzard. All of these items along with a very important and often overlooked task not mentioned, are what there is to graciously look forward to.
And yep, you guessed it. The item not mentioned is removing the seemingly endless amount of snow that compiles throughout the season on your roof.
Why the snow on your roof should be removed
There are two main reasons why the snow on your roof should continuously be removed. Those reasons being:
1. Preventing against the formation of ice dams
- Ice dams can’t form without snow. The heat given off by your house, heats up the shingles and melts the snow that's residing upon your rooftop; the problem is, this melted snow has nowhere to drain. Ending up in the formation of a puddle that eventually freezes and causes an ice dam. If you’re able to prevent from this happening by having the roof snow removed in the first place, you’re far more likely to prevent your roof from leaking and damaging the inside of your home.
2. Preventing against a possible cave-in
- As we've all experienced the joy of snow shoveling, you know that snow doesn't carry a light load; especially when it's dense and comes in high amounts. The amount of excessive weight pressure snow adds upon your roof is probably a lot heavier than you think, adding to the importance of getting it removed. As a rule of thumb, one square- foot of snow that’s one-inch in depth weighs about a pound. If your roof has 12 inches of snow on it, that could easily amount to thousands of pounds of stress on your roof. That’s not even counting the weight of any ice dams that may form as a result of leaving the snow on your roof; just one cubic foot of ice weighs 57 pounds, and a typical ice dam can weigh thousands of pounds. Minimizing the stress placed on your roof is a great way to minimize the risk of leaking and cave-ins.
When the snow on your roof should be removed
A good rule of thumb is to get your roof cleared after about every 6 inches of snowfall. If you prevent too much snow from piling up on your roof, it’s much harder for ice dams to form and you can certainly stop worrying about any sort of roof cave-in. It is pretty dependent though - ice dams can form when there's only a minor amount of snowfall present, or not form at all when there's an enormous accumulation on your roof. All in all though, the "6 inch rule" should keep you safe and clear from all possible complications.
How heavy the snow seems to be is also something you want to take into account when it comes to getting your roof cleared. Wet, heavy snow can weigh 6 or more times as much as lighter dryer snow. One cubic foot of snow can typically range in weight from as little as 0.26lbs (light, dry snow) to as much as 1.66lbs. (heavy, wet snow). This is something that's easy to test on your lonesome. Just step outside and pick up the snow. If it seems heavy and wet, - or close to optimal snowman creating consistency - it may indicate you should get your roof cleared sooner rather than later.
How often you need to get your roof cleared also depends partly on the weather forecast. Using some form of logic is recommended. For example, if it snows 6 inches one night and it's all over the news and weather apps that your area is about to get dumped on by sweet mother nature again within the next few days, feed two birds with one scone (plug to all you PETA supporters out there) and get the two snowfalls done at once. Better yet, get ahead of the game and contact us or book online at Northcliff Property Services before that second snowfall hits in order to schedule service and be first in line to have your roof cleared while your neighbor scrambles to get theirs completed.
How Northcliff can help
We specialize in keeping you, your family, and your house safe and clear from all possible complications. Especially those that can be caused from roof snow. Our roof snow removal service is performed with the utmost safety and quality; being able to complete almost 100% of our work directly from the ground. Keeping us out of danger, and you, without stress that an injury could possibly take place at your home. At Slicky's, we pride ourselves in providing you with "elevated" results and service, (haha, get it?) making sure we do our jobs right while adhering to your (the customers') requests. Let us take your worries away with our roof snow removal service.
Give us a call at (218)301-8020, shoot us an e-mail at s.selisker@northcliffpropertyservices.com, or book online to have your roof snow removed. Also, check out our Facebook Page in order to receive up to date offers and news!
