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Snow and ice may provide beautiful scenery, but they also present many challenges for homeowners. And no matter how long you’ve been active, it can be hard to remember all the maintenance you need to do after a winter storm.
From scraping snow off your home’s roof to melting a stubborn layer of ice on your sidewalk, cleaning up your property after a storm can help ensure it’s safe and risk-free. Here are three things that are often overlooked after a snowstorm and how to deal with them.
Should I remove snow from the roof of my house?
We are often told to remove all the snow from the roof of a car, but is it necessary to remove all the snow from the roof of a house?
The amount of snow your roof can safely support depends on the type, age, and condition of your roof, so it’s not always necessary. However, as a general rule of thumb, Traveler Insurance recommends that if the snow is heavy and wet and more than a foot deep, homeowners should remove it to prevent damage.
You can also remove snow yourself using a roof rake. This is a long-handled tool with a wide blade that allows you to stand on the ground and remove snow from your roof. There are several variations of this tool, but we recommend getting one with rounded edges, wheels, or bumpers to prevent damage to your shingles.
You can also hire a professional to remove the snow if you feel it’s unsafe to remove it yourself or if you can’t get to it with a roof rake.
Need to remove snow from trees and shrubs?
Snow can damage trees and shrubs on your property, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be removed.
According to Aspen Arborist and Tree Service, if the snow is light and fluffy, you can gently brush it off with a broom. However, if the snow is heavy and wet, or if there is a layer of ice, it is best to leave trees and shrubs alone.
“Heavy snow and ice can make tree branches brittle,” said Davie Tree Expert Company. “So shaking a weak limb can actually cause the branch to snap or break.”
What to do if you shovel a show and there is ice underneath
If you don’t apply enough salt before a winter storm, or not at all, you can get stuck in a layer of ice after clearing snow from your sidewalk.
According to Curti’s Landscaping, one of the most effective ways to remove it is to use a deicer such as rock salt, calcium chloride pellets, or calcium magnesium acetate. You can also try a DIY method using a mixture of rubbing alcohol, dish soap, and warm water.
For faster results, you can try using a heavy-duty shovel or ice chopper to gently break up the ice once it begins to melt.
Maddie McGay is a real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering everything that’s worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay or X @maddiemcgayy and sign up for the North Jersey Living newsletter. Have a tip, trend, or great home she should know about? Email MMcGay@gannett.com.
