Snow FAQ for Your Montana Roofing

The coldest part of winter is here, and the snowmelt is still a few months away in Montana, so if you have noticed that there is quite a bit of snow accumulating on your Billings roofing you might have wondered whether there is any cause for concern.

The good news is that in most cases your roofing is designed to shed snow, but sometimes when heavy snow falls over a short period of time, or when the weather remains cold and snow doesn’t have a chance to melt from the roof there is a risk. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers for your Billings roofing when it comes to snow.

How Much is Too Much Snow on the Roof?

Snow can get pretty heavy, and while we think of it as fluffy and light, when it accumulates it can pack a pretty big punch. As it sits on the roof it adds more weight, and some homes are not able to withstand the stress. There could also be a risk of the snow on the shingles melting if warm air escapes through the attic and onto the roof, then freezing again as it reaches colder outer edges of the roof—a phenomenon called ice dams that are a potential risk for shingle damage.

What Can I Do If There’s Too Much Snow?

If you do have significant snow accumulation on the roof the best option for the short-term is to contact a professional roofer in Billings to help you safely remove the snow from your roof. You might think about doing it yourself, but that’s a bad idea for two reasons:

• Snow is slippery and your roof is steep, which increases your risk of falling and getting injured
• You may inadvertently cause more damage to the roof by using tools that are not designed to remove snow from shingles

Is There a Long-Term Solution to Prevent Snow Buildup?

If you find that you have snow building up on your roof regularly, there are options to keep it from happening. These might include things like heat cables that will help melt snow from the roof and send water down the gutters, but these are often hit-or-miss in their effectiveness, or fixing the roof so it has a steeper slope and can more easily shed snow.

If you do notice some of the signs that your roof is overloaded, such as loud cracking and popping noises, visible areas that are sagging, or leaks and damage on the underside that you see in the attic, be sure to call a roofer in Billings right away.