Rooftop Snow Removal | Infinite Roofing & Construction Roofing Blog

Guide to Hail Damage for Homeowners

April 26, 2022 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Living in an area with hot summers, weather in the north or south, you wouldn’t expect hail to be a major concern but it is more common than you would think. Hail storms can bring tremendous damage to your property, preparing for a hail storm before it happens can help decrease long term damage. The northeast alone has experienced hail storms on over 150 occasions in recent years. It is important to understand that even storms which produce small sized hail can still cause damage to your roof and other items on your property.

After a storm occurs you should call your local roofing contractor for a full inspection to be sure the structural integrity of your roof is still in good shape. For insurance purposes it is important to keep a record of inspections to optimize collecting when necessary.

What should I do after a hailstorm?

Once the storm has passed you should contact your local roofing contractor and set up an appointment for a roof inspection. It may be a few days before they can make it out to you so make sure you keep a record of the date of the storm in case you have to let your insurance company know.

If you are able to see your roof and there is visible damage, try and snap some photos. If you have other items on your property like vehicles, or a grill with indentations from the hailstorm be sure and get photos of them as well. In some cases hail pieces will cause major damage resulting in your roof leaking. If this happens, take pictures and tell your local roofing contractor and insurance agency. When hailstorms happen usually strong winds accompany them so don’t forget to check for damage to gutters, fallen shingles, and even broken windows.

If you have major leaking or broken windows you should contact your local roofing company to handle any emergency repairs. A roofing contractor will address severe leaks and roof damage, if you are not able to get someone out in a timely manner then try and patch the issue for a temporary solution. Make sure you find a reputable roofing company to schedule your roof inspection, oftentimes inspections are free with an estimate especially if your roof needs to be replaced.

Even if you see no obvious damage there could be hidden issues which affect the integrity of your roof. After you have had your roof checked out by the best roofing company in your area depending on the outcome you may need to file an insurance claim. If you have significant damage your insurance company will send out an adjuster to examine your property to assess the damage. If they decide that your claim will cover the effects of the hailstorm, your selected roofing contractor will meet with the adjuster or send them the estimate of what the replacement cost will be.

How to know if you have hail damage:

Check out your gutters, if they have obvious dents that were not there before then you most likely have hail on your roof as well.

It is also a good idea to look at your vehicle and assess any denting from the hailstorm, if the hail was large enough to dent your car then it has definitely affected your roof.

If you have access to viewing your roof easily, climb up and take a look. You might see large obvious signs like large circles from hail balls or just minor granule loss. Hail damage is much more obvious in clay tile roofing.

We also suggest that you take a walk around your neighborhood if you don’t have access to your own roof. If you have a neighbor with the same type of roof material as you, try to see if they have severe damage or not. This can give you a better idea of your own roof’s condition.

Cosmetic Vs. Functional hail damage

The best roofing company can easily identify the main difference between cosmetic and functional hail damage. This is mainly used to determine the differences in insurance claims. The more severe of the two is functional hail damage and this is oftentimes more covered by an insurance company over cosmetic.

Functional hail damage: When the hail damage has resulted in shortening the lifespan of a roof with water shedding capabilities.
Cosmetic hail damage: The lifespan of the roof is not affected or the ability for it to function, the appearance may be altered.

Each type of roofing material will be affected differently by a severe hailstorm. While no roof is damage proof, some roofs hold up better than others. Metal roofing in Albany NY tends to dent and create dimples in a hailstorm resulting in cosmetic damage. Shingle and clay tile roofs can easily crack during a severe hailstorm but it is easier and more cost efficient to replace a few shingles or pieces of clay over metal panels.

How hail size effects roof damage

Hail size small and large can cause damage to your roof, it all depends on how severe the storm was. When the hail balls are about the size of a dime, it can impact your shingles. This can result in a few years taken off of the lifespan. When hail reaches to be the size of a quarter it can break tile and slate roofing material. This will result in moderate impact to your roof. Once the size of hail grows to be as large as a half dollar significant damage is done to your roof.

Hail damage and insurance claims

Review your homeowners insurance and immediately contact Infinite Roofing to report the hailstorm, so we can send someone out to assess your damage. Your insurance company can deny your claim but once you get an estimate it can help your contractor get damages covered. There is a time frame in which you must file for a claim, every insurance company is different but we suggest you file right away.

If you are able to find the hailstones after the storm, grab a tape measure and snap a picture for reference. It is important to use the best roofing company that you can trust to present the estimate to your insurance company. This will give you a more accurate idea of costs and also improves your chances of having the claim approved by your insurance company. With most companies even a small percentage of 25% damage can result in a new roof.

Preparing your roof for a hail storm

There is no way to completely eliminate all damage from a hail storm but you can prepare for one. Be sure to have adequate insurance that will cover you if you know you live in areas prone to hail. If you have regular roof inspections this will be much easier to gauge the actual damage done by the hail storm. Be sure to routinely clean out your gutters and drainpipes to avoid leaking and other damage. If you have a garage and you are aware of a storm coming don’t forget to pull your vehicles inside and any other items you have that are a concern.

Can I Replace My Roof In The Winter?

February 7, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Installing a roof in the winter is very different compared to installing one during the summer. There are a lot more precautions to focus on when trying to install a roof when the temperature drops. A customer can call and want a repair service and the roofing contractor realizes that they need a full roof replacement. Some homeowners may want to wait until the spring to get their roof replaced, but some situations call for an immediate replacement. A homeowner would have to consider this if the heating of the home is being affected by the damage for the winter season. Roofing in the winter can seem intimidating, however, taking the right precautions will make the process simple, safe, and painless. The good news is that most materials will perform up to a certain point with just a few tweaks to your technique. If you adjust your work style to construct a roof designed to last through cold temperatures, being careful to not damage the roofing materials, you can be sure that you can count on your new roof even during the harsh winter.

Do Roofing Contractors Work In The Winter?

Roofing contractors do work in the winter. You may be wondering, isn’t it dangerous for a roofer to work on top of your home in icy conditions? Roofing contractors need to work in the winter as well, and what you may not know is that some roofers actually prefer to work during the winter than in the summertime. When they are working on your roof during the summer time and it’s about 90 degrees outside, it is actually about 120 degrees on your roof. If your roof has an accumulation of snow, it would probably take about 30 minutes to an hour to get all of that snow off, depending on the size of your roof. After that is done, the roofing contractors can get to work.

Winter Roofing Contractor Safety

There are ways to carefully and safely take advantage of the business boosting benefits of working year-round, by understanding how to minimize the drawbacks of winter weather. Roofing contractors should follow safety standards published by the OSHA to ensure everyone’s safety. Never under any circumstances should a roofing contractor put your work before personal safety. Finishing a job is never worth risking a life, so when a roofing contractor deems it unsafe to work on your roof due to weather conditions, be sure to respect the limits.

Snow And Ice Make For Slippery Surfaces

Roof surfaces can become slick and slippery due to snow, ice, or frost. This means roofers must take extra precautions when working on a roof by wearing roof-fall protection equipment, working methodically and carefully, and wearing high-performance gear such as winter-rated work boots which have been tested for wet and cold conditions.

A common winter consideration before starting a roofing project is the snow removal or de-icing of the roof surface after a storm. This requires extra time, extra caution, and different equipment of which workers need to be trained on, along with increased monitoring while the removal is taking place. After all of that, the asphalt roofing manufacturers association warns, even on a freshly cleared roof, there may be nearly invisible ice or frost build-up on the roof or deck surface, which can make it extremely hazardous for anyone to work on. It is advisable to wait until the roof surface is free of ice and frost for safer roof installation. Ensure that the attic space is adequately ventilated. Often, what appears to be a roof leak is actually a considerable amount of moist interior air drifting up into a cold, improperly ventilated attic.

Snow Can Hide Hazards

Pay close attention to where you work and walk to ensure you don’t accidentally step on or fall through any hazards you may find on a roof such as a skylight, pipe, or any materials hidden under the accumulation. Make sure to clear surfaces before working and pay close attention to the location of objects while disposing of snow and ice.

Cold Weather Can Be Hard On The Body

Working in below temperatures can put a strain on the body, making your heart and lungs work harder, while at the same time putting the roofing contractor at an increased risk for hypothermia or frostbite. Roofers should work shorter hours, planned around the sunshine and warmer weather forecasts. Adjust the schedule to avoid uncomfortable cold temperatures and potential snow or ice storms. Roofing contractors should always wear layers of warm clothing that is breathable but provides ample coverage, hides exposed skin, and insulates against wind.

What Types of Roofs Can I Install In The Winter?

Now let’s get to the heart of the issue. Roofing materials all behave differently in conditions below 40 degrees. There are types of materials that should not be installed in these conditions and some that can be installed any time of year, regardless of the weather.

Here’s what to do depending on your home’s roofing material.

Can I Install A Flat Roof In The Winter?

There are two flat roof systems that can be properly installed during the winter and they are PVC and TPO roofing systems.These thermoplastic single ply flat roofing products are mechanically installed and are hot air welded instead of using adhesives. However, with rubber roofs like EPDM, it is a completely different scenario when it comes to installing these systems. With a rubber roof, it should not be installed in temperatures below 40 degrees because the adhesives that seal it will freeze and not bond. Contractors who say they can and will conduct rubber roof projects are ignoring manufacturer suggestions and proceeding with this project can result in roof leaks and voided warranties. It is a good idea to hold off on winter roof replacement if you’re looking at rubber roofs until it gets a bit warmer to allow for proper adhesion of the roofing material.

Can I Install Asphalt Shingles In The Winter?

The short answer is that shingles can be installed in cold weather, however, there are some precautions that must be taken when it comes to the installation. Roofing contractors must be careful not to bend and crack the shingle.The asphalt material in the shingle may lose its flexibility and resistance as the temperature goes down. Therefore, it becomes harder to bend the shingles and to cut them straight. With that in mind, the shingles might end up being more brittle, which could cause the shingles to end up being overdriven by nails when using regular pressure in the system. However, with a professional roofing contractor, they would be extra cautious of that and would take their time to do it right. There are ways to deliver a proper installation during the winter.

Another important consideration is whether the cold weather application of the shingles will increase the chances of the shingles being blown off. The shingles are lined with an adhesive that most of the time requires the sun to activate to bond the shingles, which would in return prevent the wind catching them. Depending on the manufacturer, the glue may activate at different temperatures. The manufacturer may specify that the shingles will not bond properly due to temperatures below 40 degrees, therefore, the roofing contractor would have to apply an adhesive of some sort underneath every laminate shingle with a caulking gun and then press the shingles into the adhesive. Winter in North America can get pretty bad, which means asphalt shingles are also susceptible to ice dams, which are large ice formations along the eaves of roofs caused by poor ventilation or inadequate insulation in the attic. An ice and water shield membrane is a great method to prevent ice dam leaks, but it also requires the sun’s heat to properly adhere to the roof deck, so some of the same shortcomings may apply. In the end, roofing contractors must take these precautionary steps in order to help prevent wind from blowing the shingles away before there is sufficient heat for them to self-seal, as well as prevent any ice build up which would lead to leaks.

When roofers work on your roof they use so many different roofing tools. Generally, some are not affected by cold temperatures, however, there some tools such as nail guns and compressors that can be affected by the cold temperature. When air is compressed and is released into your roofing system, the humidity will turn the air into water. However, if it’s winter time and it’s freezing, that water would end up freezing in the airlines and reduce the airflow that the roofing contractor is trying to get in the roof. When it comes to nails, they need to be installed flush with the shingle, not overdriven or under driven.

Can I Install A Metal Roof In The Winter

Metal roofs can be installed in the winter without compromising quality. Cold conditions do not affect metal roofs since they won’t crack due to improper handling. They are designed to allow for expansion and contraction, so the outside temperatures won’t make a difference. Just be sure to use a premium breathable synthetic underlayment to combat moisture caused by poor ventilation and always upgrade intake and output ventilation whenever possible. Whether you need winter roof repair or replacement, metal roofs are safe during any season.

Be Considerate

Roofing contractors understand that you want your roof repair or replacement done as soon as possible so you can get back to your everyday life. However, understand the limitations that come with working on a roof during the winter season. A roofing contractor will work when they feel it is safe to do so and will make sure all the proper steps are taken to ensure the best quality for your roof. If a contractor denies doing any service due to winter weather, it is to make sure the quality of the work and materials are at their highest for your roof. Contact your local roofing contractor for more information on their winter weather roofing projects.

How Do I Remove Snow From My Roof?

December 6, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Experts remind you to rake snow off your roof to prevent leaks

Check out our exclusive interview with Giuliana Bruno at NEWS10 ABC,
which aired December 6th, 2019

Knowing that winter is officially here and it’s that time of year where snowstorms will be coming your way, Infinite Roofing can help you with some information on what to do during what can be a very stressful time. Any homeowners who have spent a winter full of snowstorms know how fast snow accumulates and builds up. Anyone who lives in a place where snowstorms happen frequently knows how worrying it can be when snow and ice accumulate on their rooftops. Here at Infinite Roofing, we have years of experience performing winter roof care and maintenance including snow and ice removal. The information provided below will be beneficial for both commercial property homeowners as well as regular homeowners.

Rooftop snow buildup is something to be concerned about because the extra weight on the roof can cause it to collapse or leak. It can also contribute to ice dam formation which can also cause considerable damage. Many people may not realize just how much snow can weigh. It looks very pretty but it is very heavy. Therefore, providing this information may encourage you to monitor the amount of snow that piles up on your rooftop.

Why do I need to perform rooftop snow removal?

Aside from the weight of the snow adding to any existing structural issues, one of the main reasons that anyone would want to keep their roof snow-free during the winter is to avoid ice dams forming on their roof. Snow forms ice dams because hot air always rises up from inside your house and this causes the snow to melt on an upper, warmer part of the roof, the water then starts to run down toward the eaves. As this water runs downwards it cools and freezes, forming ice. When that ice accumulates it will start to back up under the roof shingles, melt again, and then start soaking the roof sheathing and leaking into the attic or other parts of your property. This, in turn, would cause some serious damage to your roof, gutters, paint, insulation, interior drywall, and other surfaces.

If you’re able to prevent these ice dams, you’re much safer from serious leaks and damage to your property. The best way to do this is by minimizing the amount of snow on your rooftop. In other words, rooftop snow removal is a very important consideration, particularly in the harsh winters of Albany, Clifton Park and the Greater Capital Region.

When the snow begins to melt and form into ice it becomes even heavier which ends up putting pressure on the support structure of your home. One square-foot of snow at only one inch deep which would come to weigh over 1.25 pounds. In this region, it is not unusual to see that snow approach 12 inches deep or more up on your roof! In this case, you would then most definitely want to perform some rooftop snow removal measures. Maybe that doesn’t seem like a lot, but then multiply that weight by the actual size of your roof! That 12 inches of snow just became about thousands of pounds of stress and pressure building up on your rooftop. So, finding and implementing these rooftop snow removal tips will protect you and your property this winter.

When is rooftop snow removal necessary?

Many commercial roofing contractors have different opinions about how much ice and snow is too much to have on your roof. However, when you actually think about it, it all depends partly on the age of the roofing system, the style of the roof you have, the materials used, how well the roof has been maintained and additional environmental factors. If the snow buildup is excessive or you have any concerns about the integrity of your roof, snow removal should be one of your top priorities.

Develop a rooftop snow removal plan

When it comes to making a plan for rooftop snow removal, you will ultimately have to decide on the best course of action. Many visual signs may be present that indicate a safe rooftop snow load has been exceeded. One should assume that the roof is unsafe and subject to failure if any indicators are present. In this case, calling in a local, professional roofing Contractor such as Infinite Roofing would be your best bet.

When the rooftop has been evaluated, if there is a need to remove snow:

When you know that it is safe to access the roof following a storm, the first thing you should do is clear the rooftop drain inlets and outlets. Clear drains help clear up any water from melting snow.
Roof areas that have accumulated drifting snow may require action to remove the snow in these exposed areas. When deeper snow drifts begin to melt away it takes more time, thus increasing the likelihood of more snow or rainfall which would add to the rooftop load.

The majority of the time, roof snow raking helps clear snow and prevent the formation of ice dams. It does not prevent all ice dams entirely, but many make the mistake of not raking the snow off their roof and allowing a greater amount of ice dams to form. You’re far less likely to get an ice dam if you rake than if you don’t. When you rake, you’re going to want to reach as high up as you can. Believe it or not, shoveling or raking your own roof can actually be very dangerous! Consider hiring a professional roofing contractor, as they would be insured to be out on cold and icy roofs rather than taking the risk doing it yourself.

Rooftop snow removal on commercial roofing systems

Commercial roofs are a significant investment and this investment should be protected. Compared to any other roofs, commercial roofs can be quite fragile. Therefore when a commercial roof has too much weight on it, especially snow, it can be easily damaged due to a lot of foot traffic.

When commercial roof owners or managers decide to remove snow on their own they can often end up damaging their own property. In general, people tend to think of rooftop snow removal as similar to removing snow from the sidewalk and driveway. Therefore, they end up shoveling all the snow right off and they don’t realize that when using a shovel the blade ends up damaging the roof, causing leaks into the property.

When it comes to commercial roofing, when removing snow from the rooftop you have to leave a thin layer of snow. When removing all the snow from the roof you could end up damaging the roof membrane. Therefore, it really is best to contact a local roofing expert such as Infinite Roofing as this could save you a lot of money in the long run. If you were to hire a regular old handyman or a company that wouldn’t really know how to deal with a commercial roof, be careful that they do not make this mistake.

The benefit of hiring a local roofing contractor for your snow removal

Hiring an experienced, commercial roofing contractor to clear snow from your rooftop, they will take many more precautions than any other person you would hire.

An expert would do cleaning inspection.
All workers would be trained on how to clean the roof properly and safely.
They would use specialized tools that are designed to clear snow efficiently without causing damage.
An expert would oversee the job, guaranteeing the safety of the workers and avoiding any problems.
They would also be fully insured, in the event any problems do arise.

Hiring a professional commercial roofing contractor that has extensive experience in commercial roofing throughout the region is very beneficial for you and your peace of mind. They would be fully trained and capable of working with commercial roofing in such snowy and icy conditions. In other words, you’re avoiding any chances of you getting hurt or any other person you might hire that does not have the necessary skills and qualifications to do the job. If a roofer from a proper commercial roofing company were to actually get hurt, they will have insurance, avoiding any liability on your part.

Importance of commercial rooftop snow removal

As a local commercial roof owner, knowing that winter is just around the corner along with a lot of snowfall on your property, there are many things to consider. One of them being that when the snow starts to accumulate on top of your building, it poses a great risk for the roof to be damaged. Therefore, it is so important for commercial property owners to be aware of the dangers that the rooftop snow can cause. We understand that all roofs are different and that some roofs have a tolerance to handle a greater volume of snow, while many others do not. However, it is always better to be safe than sorry.

In order to prevent any structural damage, you will want to be aware of the amount of snow accumulating on your roof and the load capacity of your roof. If you have a flat roof, snow will most likely accumulate much more. Therefore, you’re going to want to make sure that your roof is not prone to excessive snow accumulation. With these types of roofs, you’re going to want to avoid any snow level more than 18 inches on your roof. You’re going to want to monitor how much snow is on the rooftop so that you can avoid any possible collapse or damage to your commercial property and also ensure that any issues do not prevent the normal day-to-day running of your business/life.

When there is a snowstorm happening or its just snowing, snow starts to build up and on your roof. Sleet, rain, and ice can make matters worse. All this ends up causing pressure to build up on the roof and increases the odds of water running down on the roof when the heat begins to melt the snow. Therefore causing a clog on your gutter when the water refreezes.

When you take all this into consideration, hiring a commercial roofing contractor to clear snow from your rooftop can save you a great deal of hassle. You may do the job yourself, but to avoid any injuries and any complications that can cause damage to your roof or property, your best bet is to hire a professional.