As a homeowner, the last thing that you ever want to deal with is some type of damage to your home. It doesn’t matter if it’s a busted pipe, a broken window, cracked siding, or something of the like, if you can prevent damage to your home, why wouldn’t you? One of the types of damage that homeowners need to be wary of during the winter season is snow. While the cool temperatures are known of freezing pipes and cracking windows, a buildup of snow can also lead to a roof caving in. 

Given that we are the Top Rated Local® Residential Roofing Company in Fort Collins, the team at Denali Roofing knows a thing or two about roofs and how they are affected by large quantities of snow. That is why we, in today’s blog,  are going to talk a little bit about your roof and what to expect when snow builds up on it. Let’s get started. 

Understand Your Roof

There are various materials used when building roofs, but there are also a variety of styles used during the design process of a home. Here in Colorado, a majority of our roofs are going to be sloped to factor for the snowfall that we get every year. This style of roof ensures that melted snow goes downward instead of pooling on the roof where it could cause potential water damage. The design is proactive and accounts for the weather that we know we’re going to come across. 

While a majority of roofs out here are going to be slanted, there are some homes that may have a different style of roof. If you know that your roof isn’t slanted, it’s good to take a minute to recognize any areas where water may pool. Being aware of these parts of your roof can help reduce the chances of any damage happening during the winter. 

Snow Varies in Weight

We would love to provide you with a clear and concise answer on how much snow your roof can hold, but the reality is that snow varies in weight. At times, we have snowstorms that are dry, meaning that the snow is coming down in thin flakes that aren’t really sticking — more of a dusty type of snow storm. These storms are often accompanied by low temperatures that keep them from melting, so the weight of the flake doesn’t change much. 

Other storms that we have are known as wet storms. These are going to be the fluffier, wet flakes that accumulate on the ground and create the picturesque winter wonderland. This is the snow that you need to be wary of. While the flakes are gorgeous and may not seem all that heavy, the moisture that they’re holding adds up quickly in regards to weight.

Understanding the different kinds of snow and their associated weight can help you recognize when your roof may have too much snow on it and may need to be cleaned. By understanding this, you can avoid the chances of any damage happening because the weight of the snow was more than your roof could bear.

Have a Plan for Snow Removal

Snow will inevitably build up on your roof, so it’s good to have a plan for how you will remove it if it does wind up getting to be too heavy for your roof. While you could go and remove it on your own, we do not suggest doing so. Standing on a roof isn’t exceptionally safe as is, but when you add ice, snow, and frost into the mix, it becomes all the more dangerous. 

If you do find yourself with snow that isn’t melting or it’s starting to build up because of the intensity of the storm, you’re going to need to have it removed. Rather than do it on your own, turn to a professional that is going to have the equipment and experience needed to safely remove large amounts of snow from your roof. Before the storms really start to settle in, look around for snow removal companies in the area so that you know who your go-to company is. 

Schedule an Inspection

The only way to genuinely feel confident in the condition of your roof and what it’s capable of is by having a professional come out and inspect it. If it’s been a while since you’ve had a professional roofing company inspect your roof, it’s time to reach out to the team at Denali Roofing. The years of experience and extensive knowledge that our team has will ensure that you have all of the maintenance and repairs needed to feel confident in your roof throughout this season. 

Whether you’d like to schedule a free roof inspection or you simply have a question about our residential roofing services that needs answering, feel free to contact our team. We are always more than happy to help.