While the northern Virginia winter has been relatively mild, don’t get complacent. High winds, ice, and heavy snow not only make travel hazardous, but they can cause damage to your home’s roof, siding, gutters, and even windows.
If you haven’t already, clean out your gutters and downspouts to allow rain and the water from melting snow to drain properly. And if you have any tree branches overhanging your roof, hire a tree service to safely remove them before high winds bring them crashing down. These two simple things can help lessen potential damage from a winter storm.
Keep reading for tips on what to do (and what not to do) after a big storm rolls through.
Remove Snow from Your Roof: Yes or No?
Generally, if your roof is in good shape and is at most 20 years old, it can support heavy snowfall. But if we have a Snowmageddon like we had in February 2010, where we get more than a foot of snow, you may want to remove some of it or hire someone to do it.
Ice dams happen when the snow starts melting, but the water doesn’t drain off your roof correctly and refreezes. The water can back up under your shingles and cause your roof to leak. Clearing heavy snow off your roof, starting at the gutters and working your way up 3 or 4 feet, can help prevent ice dams from forming.
Removing Snow from a Flat Roof
If you have a flat roof and easy roof access, you can use a plastic shovel to clear some of the snow yourself. Some roofing companies and landscaping companies offer this service in the winter. However, we recommend hiring a professional who can protect your roof and has experience in this area.
Removing Snow from a Sloped Roof
Most of the homes in our area have sloped roofs. In this situation, depending on the slope, snow may slide off independently. But in other cases, it will continue to build and build. This is when you should invest in a roof rake, also known as a snow rake.
They’re designed with long, telescoping handles, allowing you to stand on the ground while raking the snow towards the roof’s edge, where it can fall to the ground. Be careful to stand on level ground far enough away from the edge of your home that you don’t bury yourself! For safety purposes, it’s good to have someone else outside while you’re working on clearing the snow from your roof.
What to Do If Your Home Suffers Winter Storm Damage
If high winds, a falling tree, or heavy snow and ice cause substantial damage to your roof, siding, or gutters, you will likely want to file an insurance claim. Don’t fix anything before you do, but you can put up tarps to cover gaping holes or bare plywood to protect it from rain and snow.
Take pictures of the damage from a safe position before covering anything. You’ll want them to support your claim. Your insurance company may send an adjuster to your home, but they may also tell you to start getting estimates for repairing the damage.
Beware of contractors coming to your door and offering to make repairs. Your home is too precious to leave in the hands of inexperienced or unscrupulous contractors. You’ll want to do your research to find a reputable company in your area to work with.
Get a Quote from Northern Virginia’s Most Trusted Roofing Contractor
If you’ve suffered winter storm damage to your roof, siding, or gutters, we can help. We’ll work with your insurance company to quickly get your house back to normal. To get the best outcome, you need to hire a reputable roofing company with the training and expertise to guide you through your options and complete a flawless roofing installation. And when you work with a GAF Master Elite company, you’re eligible for a GAF 50-year roof warranty.
Don’t make the mistake of hiring less experienced tradesmen. Hire one of the most experienced, expert roofing companies serving Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.