Now that the cold days of winter are over and the warm summer days are ahead of us, it may be hard to think back to those blizzards that the Pittsburgh area experiences every year. But, there are many people still dealing with the decisions now that they made when it came to roof ice removal during the winter.

Too many homeowners rushed to get up on their roofs and start removing the ice on their own thereby damaging their gutters and shingles severely. If these homeowners would have learned more about roof ice removal prior to getting up on their Pittsburgh roofs, then this may have not been an issue for them.

Many homes this winter experienced ice dams that then led to major roof ice build-up requiring substantial roof ice removal. To understand how to prevent this in the future, we must understand the root of the problem – the ice dams.

An ice dam is a wall of ice that forms at the edge of the roof (typically at the gutters and soffit). As water forms up behind that wall of ice, a pond is formed and it’s that pool that causes leaking into your Pittsburgh home, damaging the walls, insulation and ceiling.

To prevent these ice dams from forming, the gutters of your home need to be cleaned. Once the gutters are cleaned, then roof ice removal won’t be as major if those ice dams don’t form. Proper gutter maintenance is important not just in the fall; year round maintenance is necessary to prevent problems in the other seasons, too.

Unfortunately, roof ice removal by the homeowner is not suggested. Roof ice removal typically requires an experienced professional with the proper materials, tools and know how to do the job right. A homeowner can remove snow build-up using a rake or a push broom, but for in-depth roof ice removal it is best to stick with a professional.

Homeowners must also use extreme caution when attempting to even remove the build up of snow on their roofs. It is far better to rely on a professional who has experience in snow and roof ice removal than to try and tackle it on your own and end up hurting yourself or others. Gutters, shingles, ceilings, and roofs can all be fixed – sometimes people who fall cannot!

While Mother Nature cannot be predicted and roof ice is going to happen, you can make sure that your attic is properly ventilated and insulated to help prevent ice dams. The suggestion amount is 1 square foot of vent for every 150 feet of attic floor for ventilation. An experienced contractor can assist you when it comes to insulation and getting the appropriate amount of insulation for your area and home. It all depends on what type of climate you live in, the amount of insulation currently in your home and what the industry standard is at the time you upgrade your insulation.

So, enjoy the summer time now because winter and roof ice removal days in Pittsburgh will be here again – all too soon!

Author Bio: Learn more about roof ice removal in Pittsburgh including how to hire the best roof ice removal contractor in your area. Just visit www.goodhonestcontractor.com/articles/roof_ice_removal.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: roof ice removal, Pittsburgh roof ice