Winter in the U.P. means lots of snow. Michigan Tech’s Keweenaw Research Center said the area got 118 inches so far. And Keweenaw County has recorded 222.5 inches this year. That’s about average for this part of the U.P. But, if you do the math, 118 inches is nearly 10 feet of snow. Thick layers of snow accumulate and can cause a number of issues including roof collapse and expensive repairs.
Ice can also cause issues during the winter. Snow that melts and then refreezes can also cause ice dams. Too much ice in areas of the roof like gutters could expand and possibly cause damage to the end of the roof.
If you are clearing that snow off a single story roof yourself, tools like a snow rake and some roof melt make the process easier and safer. For two or more stories or for roofs with steep pitches, it might be best to call in a pro.