Even though winter has already arrived, it’s not yet too late for households to minimize the potential damage snow and ice will inflict on their properties. Kimberly Lankford from the business publication Kiplinger lists down a few maintenance tips that can help homeowners reduce the inevitable winter repair costs, as well as ensure the safety of their loved ones during the season. One of the most important tips Lankford mentions is the removal of snow on rooftops:

If a lot of snow accumulates, your roof could collapse — especially flat roofs or the roof over porches and additions. You shouldn’t have a problem with average accumulations or very dry snow. But if heavy snow starts to build up, consider getting a roof rake with a long handle so you can remove packed snow while you are on the ground. Going on the roof to shovel it yourself could damage the roof (and possibly you, too).

Proper snow removal is also the best way to prevent the formation of ice dams in gutters. Ice dams not only cause significant structural damage but also introduce moisture and water leaks indoors, which could cause further damage and may even foster the growth of molds and bacteria. Fortunately, general roof repairs during wintertime can be entrusted to a reliable roofing contractor like Northern Virginia Roofing that employs qualified Arlington roofers.

Professional roofing services come in handy since ice dams, and other sources of winter damage for that matter, aren’t always covered by home insurance companies—especially for structures with flat roofs. In case ice dams are indeed covered by the homeowner’s insurance policy, it is highly likely that the insurance company will only pay for the damage and not the actual removal of ice dams themselves. As such, flat roofs are generally discouraged for households in snowy regions.

Speaking of insurance, the federal government also advises people to hire reliable contractors to carry out any winter-related repairs or maintenance work on their roofs rather than handle roofing problems by themselves. There is a good chance that homeowners can cause more damage when they rake off ice or try to hammer an exposed nail back in its place. Most Arlington roofing companies have worker insurance anyway, so it’s pointless to risk life and limb for the sake of minimizing winter repair costs.