Prep Your Roof for Snow
Updated November 2, 2018 . AmFam Team
As winter approaches, you might think of cozying up on the couch with a blanket or hunkering down with a cup of hot cocoa while the snow falls outside. And while you’re safe inside, your roof is working hard to protect you and everything you own from the elements. That’s why we’ve rounded up some tips to help you keep your roof in great shape while it does all the hard work this winter.
Preparing Your Roof for the Winter
Before the cold temperatures and snow even hint at showing up, get a good look at its current condition and fix any potential problems. Check out our tips for preparing your roof for winter weather.
Inspect your roof from the ground. Give your roof a good once-over to make sure it doesn’t show signs of aging or damage. Look for any missing, curled or lifted shingles, sagging near ridges or anything out of the ordinary. And unless you’re a professional roofer, don’t attempt to get on your roof.
Have your roof professionally inspected. If you dop notice any issues with your roof, call a professional and get an expert’s opinion on its current state and any necessary repairs. Having any issues fixed before a major snowfall is crucial to your roof’s health.
Check your gutters and downspouts, too. Making sure your gutters and downspouts are firmly attached to your home and aren’t filled with leaves or other foreign objects will set them up nicely for winter. Anything that prevents your roof from disposing of melting snow could eventually lead to ice or snow buildup on your roof, and a loose gutter or downspout will have a higher risk of detaching the longer it’s left untended to. Take a look at the best way to clean your gutters.
Make sure your attic is properly insulated. Having a properly- and evenly-insulated attic will help your roof get rid of melting snow as the weather warms up. Look for uneven snow melt on your roof after a storm — spots that melt easier than others can indicate areas where your home is losing more heat and costing you more money on your heating bill.
Preventing a Roof Collapse After a Snowstorm
When the snow finally does start falling, knowing how to spot potential trouble and take the appropriate steps can save you a lot of time, hassle and money when it comes to your roof. Check out these tips for getting the snow off of your roof and keeping it in good condition after a big storm.
Know what kind of snow is falling. Light and fluffy snow shouldn’t be much of an issue for your roof, but heavy, wet snow, or snow mixed with ice or sleet can be of concern. The heavier the snow (or ice), the more impact it’ll have on your roof. Take into consideration how much snow is falling, too. Don’t waste your time worrying after a couple early-season flurries.
Have a snow rake handy. A snow rake is exactly what it sounds like — a long-handled rake used to safely remove snow and/or ice from your roof. When using a snow rake, don’t try to get the entire roof free of snow. Instead, aim to remove the looser snow towards the bottom edge of the roof and leave a couple inches to naturally melt away when the weather gets warmer. Never use a snow rake while on a ladder. Only stand on solid ground and aim to keep the snow away from gutters and downspouts.
Don’t be afraid to call a professional. Snow removal and roofing companies alike often offer roof snow removal services. There’s nothing wrong with erring on the side of safety and having someone with experience clean off your roof — and although it’s more expensive than handling it yourself, it’s certainly safer and more efficient.
Be extra careful around ice. Falling ice, particularly from ice dams, is very dangerous. If there’s any ice on your roof, don’t attempt to remove it yourself. Call a professional or allow nature to take its course.
How to Spot Roof Damage After a Snowstorm
If you believe an ice- or snowstorm has caused damage to your roof, there are a number of ways you can try to confirm or deny your suspicions. Use these tips to get a good look at your roof’s condition after winter does its thing.
From the outside, look for obvious damage. While your roof might be covered in snow or ice, you can still see if a storm’s had impact. Look for any uneven snow cover, missing shingles or sagging in any part of the roof and call a professional immediately if damage is noticed.
Check doors and windows. If some doors and windows in your house seem more difficult to open than normal, part of your roof may have given way and be pushing down on the frames. If noticed, exit your home immediately and make arrangements to stay elsewhere until the damage can be assessed.
Don’t forget about your other structures. If you have other buildings on your property, such as a shed or detached garage, make sure to check their roofs, too. The less steep a roof, the easier it is for snow to collect and weigh down on it, making it more susceptible to collapse.
At American Family, your roof is covered under your homeowners insurance policy. But how your claim will be processed and paid out could depend on whether you have actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV) coverage. Get in touch with your American Family Insurance agent for specifics on your policy and get the exact coverage you and your family need this winter.
Related Articles
- 9 Steps to Create a Home Inventory for Insurance Claims
Your home is more than a roof over your head. It’s where your dreams grow, your family thrives and memories are made. But the possessions you keep inside are important, too.
Whether you’re renting an apartment or own your home, you’ve most likely got an insurance policy designed to protect your dwelling and the things inside. Should the unthinkable happen and you have to use that insurance policy, it’s important to have a plan in place. And a home inventory list is a great way to get started!
We’ll walk you through how to create a home inventory so — in the event of the unexpected — you’ll be more prepared and have a streamlined recovery.
What Is a Home Inventory?
Quite simply, a home inventory is a complete list of all the items, especially valuables, in and around your home. The best home inventories include photos, descriptions and dollar values of each of your belongings. The more detail, the better! It’ll help you provide a comprehensive list to your agent of items lost in the event your home is damaged or destroyed, allowing you to get the most out of your coverage.
When your describing the items in your list, remember that the more information, the better. Here’s a quick reference list of the type of information you should include in your home inventory list:
- An in-depth description of the items. For example, rather than writing down “diamond ring,” be more descriptive, such as: “an emerald cut diamond ring, with white gold shank, accent stones and initials inscribed below the bridge.”
- Make, model, and/or serial number of the items.
- Date of purchase, receipts and photos.
- Estimated replacement cost if you bought it today. Do note that the value of the items might be different today than it was when you first bought them. This is especially true with jewelry, and other valuables.
- Appraisals at time of purchase. Especially if your items were appraised for insurance purposes.
Why Do I Need a Home Inventory?
Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, everyone can benefit from a home inventory!
If you ever have to make a claim, a home inventory is a great asset to have, especially after stressful events like theft, storm damage or a fire (take a look at how one renter used their home inventory after facing an apartment fire).
When you make a claim, you typically submit information on everything that was lost — which can be difficult to do off the top of your head for all your possessions. Remembering to replace your TV or computer are no-brainers, but when it comes to remembering each piece of jewelry in your jewelry box, things tend to get overlooked. Having a personal property inventory will help, along with knowing how to properly insure your jewelry.
When you have your home inventory checklist, you know exactly what needs to be replaced, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing your entire household is protected.
- Reasons Why a Roof Leaks
You’re admiring the rain from the comfort of your home when you notice a sound — the unmistakable drip of water dropping onto your floor. The first and hardest step is figuring out why your roof is leaking. And with these tips, you’ll find the culprit in no time!
Here’s Why Your Roof Is Leaking
The list of reasons why your roof is leaking may seem long, but don’t worry — when it comes to finding the leak and fixing it, the finding is the hardest part. And the good thing about these problems? They can all be fixed. Check out the list and see what’s troubling your roof:
Your roof is old
Roofs don’t last forever. Protecting your home and everything inside it from the elements comes with a cost. And with all that rain, snow, ice, wind and even sunlight wearing down your roof, it becomes more susceptible to leaks. Every roof will eventually need to be replaced, so learn more about how long your roof should last based on what it’s made of.
- How to Check Your Roof for Storm Damage
There’s no good time to find out your roof needs repair — but you may be able to mitigate that pain by routinely checking your roof for damage after severe weather. Waiting for a leak or damage to present itself gives the problem time to grow and worsen.
And sometimes, you’ll be faced with expensive roof and interior damage repairs if you’re not diligent. By being proactive and checking your roof for damage after severe weather hits can help your roof — and your savings — stay healthy.
