The snow accumulated on roofs starts melting when the weather gets warmer. Snow and ice on the roofs are the most dangerous when the mass of snow absorbs water and turns heavy. The situation arises, when the temperature changes greatly during day and night. This means piles of snow falling from the roofs, as well as squashed roof constructions, since the weight of snow becomes too heavy to bear. Under that the constructions can break easily. In terms of safety, the snow must be removed immediately.
Remove snow and ice from the roofs
The responsibility of every owner and administrator of a house is to remove snow, ice and icicles from the roofs. People should constantly check the situation and reduce the load of snow, when the thickness of the layer of snow measures up to twenty centimetres.
While cleaning the roof, you must be very careful. The best is to hire a specialized company, which can perform works from an elevator. If that is not an option, the work must be done by you. Make sure you follow the safety requirements:
- before cleaning the roof, make sure that your actions would not threaten pedestrians in any way. Surround the house with safety ribbons, so that the snow and ice falling from the roof would not injure anyone;
- if you have a chance to clean the roof without climbing to it, for example with a special snow rake or scraper, prefer that;
- when climbing to the roof is inevitable, use a ladder that is properly fastened;
- use a harness to avoid falling from the roof;
- start cleaning the roof from the top, moving carefully to the edges;;
- leave a thin layer of snow on the roof to keep it from turning slippery.
Be Wise and Prevent Losses
During the melting period, roads get slippery and roofs turn dangerous. Therefore, we call upon people to be active and prevent losses if possible. This includes choosing the right speed and distance in traffic, watchfulness as a pedestrian and duty to maintain your property in order. When all the parties – administrators of houses, pedestrians and drivers – are careful, winter is safer for all of us.