Tips for Avoiding Roof Failure

Avoiding roof failure typically involves the removal of snow and ice, although the system can fail for other reasons. For example, skipping regular inspections and maintenance can put you at risk. Here are some things that you should be doing to ensure you reduce your risk.

Snow Removal

Most well-built roofs will not fail due to the accumulation of ice and snow from a single season. However, over several seasons, structural damage can be caused by the excessive weight. Because of that, snow and ice removal is recommended.

You should never attempt to stand on sloped roofs to remove ice or snow. Special tools called roof-rakes are widely available. These may be as long as 21 feet. They allow homeowners and maintenance crews to stand on the ground and rake the snow or ice off of the roof.

Care should be taken to avoid dislodging shingles. Take note of the placement of exhaust fans or pipes when they are not covered with snow in order to avoid damaging them.

For flat roofs accessible from inside the building, snow removal is similar to removing it from the driveway. Care must be taken to avoid overexertion.

A spot should be chosen for dumping the snow and everyone that enters the building should be aware of avoiding the area. Make sure to avoid standing too close to the roof’s edge and always watch your balance.

Ice Removal

Ice removal may be important for avoiding roof failure. Long icicles can form along the edges of pitched roofs. Ice may become packed on flat roofs. It is not usually necessary to remove icicles if the melt water will not cause damage to the rest of the building.

If you have ice packed on a flat-roofed building, it is best to wait until it melts enough to make it possible to use a wet-dry vac. Using torches or heaters to melt the ice can be dangerous. If ice accumulations are excessive on a flat-roofed building, consult a professional about how to safely remove it.

Waterproofing

For flat roofs, waterproofing is essential for avoiding roof failure. Luckily, there are numerous solutions for waterproofing flat roofs. The EPDM or “rubber” coatings are particularly popular and can be used to cover existing roofs without replacing the entire system.

Not only does a liquid rubber coating provide benefits that include waterproofing, protection against damage from flying debris and increased lifespan of the vehicle reduced risk of leaking.  There may also be some soundproofing advantages when you choose the best coatings for your liquid roof maintenance.