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0 Snow is often an attractive addition to the winter months, giving a white blanket on top of everything. However, there are some areas where snow can cause a nuisance or even a danger. We think of roads being more dangerous when there is snow on the ground but did you also think about roofs being affected by snow? Read on for information on how snow can affect flat roofs.
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Why is it a problem?
Flat roofs are different from regular pitched roofs because gravity does not help the snow to roll down and fall off the side of the building. Although flat roofs always contain a small pitch of a minimum of one in 80, snow can still build up.
Because the snow has nowhere to go when it lands on a flat roof, it could cause the roof to collapse. Usually, the snow is removed or it melts before it gets to this stage, however, a lot of damage can still be done from snow on flat roofs.
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Melting and freezing
When snow melts, it can leave a pool of water which could cause serious issues. Water has the potential to leak into a roof if it is not well sealed, while water can also damage the roofing materials over time. Standing water can cause blisters in the roof material and lead to more leaks.
When the temperature gets colder, the water pools could also freeze and cause ice to form on the roof. The constant melting and freezing of water on a flat roof will degrade the roofing material. Drains and gutters could also become blocked with the build-up of snow and ice.
How to deal with the snow build-up
The best thing to do is to call the experts. If you are looking for experienced roofers Gloucester has many specialists to choose from, while other cities also have expert roofers to call. You could Contact Hempsted Roofing or choose another expert roofing specialist to ensure your roof is properly fixed and fitted.
If you do want to try clearing the roof yourself, always start from the edge and use lightweight equipment so you don’t damage the roof. Only remove small amounts of snow at a time and don’t try to melt it. You should also use a strong ladder for greater steadiness when working at heights.
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