Protecting Your Roof in the Winter

Syracuse.com, the official website of the Syracuse Post Standard, published an article about how the every day Joe or Jane can take steps to protect his or her roof from the winter elements. Of course, you shouldn't  consider doing anything remotely dangerous. If something on your roof seems awry and you can't safely fix it yourself, call a professional (such as the folks at Total Home Exteriors). However, there are a few things you can do without climbing onto the roof.

For instance, keeping your attic cold can help quite a bit. This prevents snow on your roof from melting too quickly, which in turn keeps harmful ice from forming. Another thing you can do is pull snow and ice off your roof using a long rake. If your gutters are filling up with ice and debris, use a hammer and chisel to break the ice apart. Again, be careful, and call a professional if you feel you're putting yourself at risk.