Get matched with top snow removal pros in Farnham, VA

Roof raking helps clear snowfall from your roof and, in turn, you hope that this prevents ice dams. But can roof raking actually cause them? Generally, no, it cannot. But you should note that while, in some cases, you might successfully prevent ice dams from forming near the edge of your roof by keeping it cleared with a roof rake, they could still form higher up on the roof, where you are unable to reach. This may leave you wondering: Does roof raking prevent ice dams? While it is not a 100% guaranteed way to prevent them, it does help.

Snowblowers are some of the best tools for snow removal because they remove large amounts of snow quickly without bodily harm or damaging your deck. If your snowblower can fit on your deck, it’s a good first line of defense to remove snow quickly and easily. If you don’t have a snowblower, a plastic shovel with a rubber blade is another good choice to remove snow on a deck.

In most cases, it’s worth it to pay for professional snow removal. You can shovel the snow yourself, but it’s very labor-intensive and puts you at risk of injury or illness by performing exhausting manual labor in slippery conditions. Paying a professional removes that risk and saves you time and energy. Depending on your agreement, you could wake up to a cleared driveway and a car that’s ready to drive rather than have to get up early to do the work yourself.

Generally, the cost of ice dam removal is not covered by homeowners insurance because it is often considered preventable maintenance. However, the damage caused by ice dams is frequently covered. Depending on your policy, this can include interior water damage, roof collapses, and damage to shingles. Coverage for personal belongings affected by leaks may vary. It is important to check your policy details or contact your insurer to confirm what your plan covers. Keep in mind that any damage resulting from a DIY attempt to remove an ice dam will likely not be covered.