Ask yourself these 9 questions.
- Do I have a chimney that suffers from ice build up?
(A common source of heat loss) - Do I have a skylight?
(A common source of heat loss and glaciation) - Do I have a cathedral ceiling or hot roof design?
(A non-vented roof system is prone to excessive heat loss) - Do I have ice buildup on the roof or large icicles on the eaves?
(Glaciation is evidence of heat loss from a lack of insulation, ventilation or a source of heat loss that needs to be addressed) - Is my building poorly constructed or unable hold the weight of the snow load or snow drifts?
- Has there been a substantial amount of snow fall that has built up and condensed?
- Has the snow accumulated to the point where all the vents and penetrations are covered and unable to vent properly?
- Is the snow creating a large creeping overhang that could fall and cause damage or injury if it came down unexpectedly?
- Have you recently had trouble opening or closing doors or windows?
(The weight of the snow may be affecting the structure of the house)
If the answer to any of these questions is yes then roof top snow removal is recommended.
Remember, most of the time roofing companies that have the training and equipment for roof top snow removal do not provide snow removal from the ground. An owner may need to hire a separate company to remove the snow from the grounds surrounding the building.
Roof top snow removal is dangerous. Without the proper equipment or training, it can be extremely unsafe for a homeowner. If the workers hired to remove the snow are injured and are not covered under workers compensation, the homeowner may be liable for the medical expenses and damages. It is very important that homeowners do their homework to limit their liability and ensure their satisfaction with the work.
Roof top snow removal should be completed by a licensed, bonded and insured roofing contractor. If the snow or ice or the removal causes any damage to the roof, it is important to have professional roof installers doing the work so that the damage can be repaired. Also, the professionals can determine, at that time, if additional roof venting could be installed to alleviate some of the ice build up.