Services | Snow Removal

Protect your Roof from Ice and Snow Build-up

In Winnipeg, we know all about long winters, coupled with variable weather conditions and the possibility of a lot of snow. Snow build-up on roofs is inevitable, as is the challenge of repeated “thaw and freeze” cycles. Heavy snow cover and ice dams can damage your roof.

Ice build up on your roof can lead to extensive damage to the roofing materials. Depending on the amount of ice, it can also potentially damage your exterior finish. In severe situations, ice build-up can also cause damage to the interior of your home.

Your home’s roof versus ice dams

The buildup of snow and ice on your roof can create what are commonly known as “Ice Dams”. Snow accumulation, melting coupled with obstructed drainage can mean damaging ice buildup at certain key points in your roof. Ice build-up can be combated with precautions and regular snow removal and monitoring. Keeping a clean roof in winter can extend the life of your roof.

Keys to a sound roofing system

Have adequate ventilation for your homes roof to make sure your attic space is free of moisture due to condensation and stays dry.
Make sure your home is properly insulated. Inadequate insulation makes your home lose a lot of heat, this melt and freeze of snow on your roof creates ice in unwanted places and makes your utility bills higher!

Other factors which can cause ice dams

Roof slope

Some roof slopes can cause the roof to receive more sunlight during the day, which creates more ice through daily “thaw and freeze” cycles. Even with a sound roofing system in place and adequate insulation, ice dams can form.

Wind and snow drifts

Wind is another factor which contributes to ice dam formation. Prevailing winds can create snow drifts which are usually heavier and crusted onto the roof – that makes them even more difficult to remove.

Excessive snowfall

Large amounts of snow falling during a short period doesn’t give the roofing system, and eavestroughes enough time to drain properly. In a typical Winnipeg winter, there are likely three to five significant snowfalls a season which can cause immediate ice dams.

Roof snow removal prevents ice dams

The simplest way to prevent damage caused by ice dams on your roof is proactive roof snow removal. Trudel Roofing offers full snow removal service for your roof, which helps prevent ice dam formation. Along with removal services, we also have the tools required to remove any ice dams that have formed. Our roof snow removal service allows you to stay warm inside while we ensure your roof system doesn’t become damaged.

As part of our roof snow removal services, we offer

Total rooftop snow removal on sloped roofs up to a 6/12 pitch (other pitches become nearly impossible to walk on when snow covered). Prices for rooftop snow removal vary according to the size of your roof
Creating channels in any ice dams which have already formed, in order to promote proper drainage
Installing heating cable in high-risk areas to prevent ice dam formation
After snow and ice is removed from your home’s roof, we ensure all your home’s walkways, driveways, and decks are all cleared of the snow we removed.

Ventilation Stack Clean Outs

Your ventilation pipe (also called a stack or flue) for the sewer system of your house can become clogged with debris from trees in the fall and then may freeze solid during the winter.

If your toilet or tub gurgles when you drain them, you may have a ventilation problem. And depending on where the clog is in the house’s ventilation pipe, it may prevent proper drainage from happening entirely. Most plumbers won’t go on a roof to fix this problem. Trudel Roofing will. We know the effect of Winnipeg winters on your home. We have cleared many frozen and blocked ventilation pipes for our customers.

Sometimes your roofer is also your best plumbing solution. Contact us to discuss.

In House Metal Shop

At Trudel Roofing we pride ourselves in providing solutions for every project in a timely and professional manner. This is why we have our own in-house metal shop. We can provide custom metal solutions, custom flashing, and onsite installations for your projects in a range of colours and metal gauges.