We all love snow. That first snowfall of the year always seems to stir excitement in you no matter how old you are.

But that doesn’t at all mean that snow is perfect. Like most good things, too much of it can have some annoying consequences.

From treacherous road conditions to the plummeting temperature, snow can have its downsides.

The same is true for your roof, where too much snow building up can lead to issues like ice dams or damage caused by the pressure of the added weight.

This is why it is important you remove snow from your roof before it is able to build up and cause further problems. Luckily, there are a number of different ways you can do this:

Be happy your roof is metal

One of the best ways to ensure snow isn’t able to build up on your roof to begin with is to upgrade to a metal roof. This is because metal roofing has a much smoother surface when compared to ore traditional roofing materials like asphalt. This smoother surface makes it much harder for snow to cling to the roof and build up in the first place.

Of course, nothing is ever 100% guaranteed, and even with a metal roof you may find that from time to time you still need to remove built up snow from your roof before it leads to larger problems like ice dams.

Ice belts

In addition to having a metal roof, you may want to consider installing ice belts to give you even more protection against ice dams. Ice belts run along the eves of your roof and allow a low friction surface that helps prevent ice dams from being able to form.

Insulate your attic

Making sure that there is no heated air leaking out of your attic means the snow on your roof wont melt and then trickle down to a cooler part of the roof and dry into ice. This is why it is so important that you make sure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated.

An added bonus to proper ventilation and insulation is that you won’t have to run your HVAC unit as hard keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer, potentially saving money on your energy bills.

Heating Cables

Having de-icing cables installed on your roof in the areas where ice is likely to build up will ensure excess water stays liquid and runs off into your gutters.

Ice Melt Socks

People often used to make ice melt socks by hand at home, but the most effective versions can be purchased or installed by a professional. These socks contain calcium chloride which acts to melt any ice the sock is placed on top of, again allowing water to flow off your roof through the gutters.

If you’re looking for more information about metal roofing, or to see our full range of services, visit NEPA Roofing Pros Roofing Supplies today.