Roof Repair in Winter During and After Snow and Ice Storms
Getting on an icy roof during or after a winter storm is a dangerous task, but one that occasionally must be done when:
- Snow loads exceed the safe weight per foot for your roof
- Ice dams form and force water to back up beneath shingles and leak into your home
- High winds blow shingles or other roofing material exposing the roof deck to the elements
- Large branches fall onto the roof causing damage that must be repaired or temporarily covered
Note: If you’re not experienced in roofing repairs or using ladders, call a professional contractor that has the equipment, tools, and means of providing a non-slip surface to walk on once they access the roof.
Walking on Roofs: Safety First
Sometimes, roof maintenance requires you to physically get on the roof. Whether you’re applying roof melt or conducting a roof repair in winter, safety should be your top priority. Roof cleats and roof grippers can provide the necessary traction and stability, reducing the risks of slipping or falling.
How to Walk on a Roof Safely?
Before climbing onto your roof, ensure you have the proper safety equipment, such as a safety harness, ladder, roof cleats, and roof gripper. Remember, walking on an icy roof is hazardous; hence applying an ice melt for roofs like Traction Magic can create safer conditions.
Roof Repair in Winter
Roof repair during winter requires special care and precautions. The use of a roof safe ice melt can create safer working conditions by removing ice and snow. Traction Magic can be used in these situations, helping to prevent the formation of ice dams and making repair work safer and easier.
Equipment Needed for Winter Roof Repair
If you do decide on DIY roof repair in winter, you’ll need what’s on this list to get the job done.
- Two helpers: Never access the roof by yourself. Having two assistants to hold the ladder secure is essential to your safety. Should an accident occur, they’ll be there to help.
- An extension ladder: The ladder should extend at least two feet above the roofline. This will allow you to safely step from the ladder onto the roof. Never step on a rung above the roofline, and never use a step ladder. Getting up might be easy, but getting down onto a step ladder will prove very difficult and dangerous.
- A tarp: Most roofing experts recommend covering damaged areas with a tarp for temporary protection. Then, when the weather is suitable, the repair can be done more safely and more effectively. When tarping a section of the roof, the tarp must extend over the peak to prevent water from running down the roof onto exposed areas.
- Rope to secure the tarp: Tying a rope to the tarp eyelets on one end and to a fixed point below, such as nails or hooks installed in the facia or soffit, will keep the tarp in place.
- A means of secure footing: Walking on level surfaces that are icy is a bad idea. Getting on a sloped roof that is covered in ice is an even worse plan. Some roofers suggest using carpet strips, but the carpet has a plastic backing and you will slip off it or it will slide off the roof like a child’s plastic sled slides down a hill. Traction mats move too, so aren’t a solution. You need something stable that won’t slide from beneath you. Roofers have discovered Traction Magic, a granular material that grips ice firmly to provide a secure, non-slip surface to walk on.
Best Ice Melt for Roof
When choosing an ice melt for your roof, consider factors like safety, effectiveness, and environmental impact. Salt and chemical-based ice melts can damage roof materials and harm pets. Traction Magic stands out as the best ice melt for roofs due to its effectiveness and safety for both your property and pets.
Ice Traction and Dealing with Black Ice on Roofs
When managing roof repair in winter, ice traction isn’t just a comfort—it’s a necessity. One of the biggest dangers during this season isn’t the visible snow but something far more deceptive: black ice. So, what is black ice on roads—and more importantly, how does it translate to roofs?
Black ice forms when there’s a thin layer of moisture that freezes quickly, often appearing clear or slightly glossy rather than white. On roads, it’s barely visible, but it causes vehicles to lose control instantly. On roofs, it can be even more dangerous, creating a surface that’s impossible to detect by sight yet slippery enough to trigger a serious fall.
So, how to remove black ice safely from a sloped surface like a roof? The traditional method of chiseling or scraping only increases risk. And pouring hot water might cause sudden cracks in shingles due to thermal shock. Instead, using a specialized product like Traction Magic not only dries the surface but improves grip. It doesn’t just offer temporary relief—it creates a secure, stable surface you can walk on.If you’re wondering how to get better traction in snow while handling rooftop snow removal, the answer lies in combining wearable cleats with a granular surface agent. Ice traction cleats give your boots better bite, while products like Traction Magic turn a dangerous patch into a walkable platform.
What is black ice on roads?
Black ice is a transparent, thin layer of ice that forms when moisture freezes rapidly. It’s often invisible and blends into the surface, making it a major cause of slips and vehicle accidents. It can form on roads, driveways, and even rooftops—making proper traction solutions critical in winter.
The Magic of Traction Magic: Securing Safety on Remaining Surfaces
With your roofs and driveways covered, what about the other potentially slippery surfaces around your property? Traction Magic rises to the occasion. Composed of natural volcanic rock and seven other minerals, this product delivers instant traction on all icy surfaces. Be it sidewalks, steps, or providing instant traction for your vehicle, Traction Magic ensures you and your loved ones remain safe throughout the icy winter months.
Traction Magic for Icy Roof Repair
Here’s why Traction Magic is the right product for getting traction on an icy roof. It is formulated with a proprietary blend of two key ingredients that are effective in even the very coldest temperatures:
Absorbers siphon up the water layer on top of the ice. We know about this layer from physics, and it is what makes ice so slippery. Super-cold ice is called dry ice because it doesn’t have the liquid surface found on winter ice. The absorbers take up the water to dry the surface.
Grippers are tough granules covered with spiked outcroppings. They aren’t cubes with six flat sides but randomly shaped granules with dozens of spikes. That is why they are so much more effective than grains of sand, many of which have rounded sides that don’t grip. The grippers embed into the ice when pressure is applied from walking or kneeling on them, and a secure, non-moving surface is instantly created.
Use the traction product preferred by experienced roofing contractors, Traction Magic. It is guaranteed to be safe, easy to apply, and to deliver instant traction on icy surfaces. It won’t harm your roof and because it doesn’t contain salt or harsh chemicals, is safe for use around children, pets, and landscaping.
Conclusion: Why Ice Traction Tools Matter
The winter storm aftermath isn’t just about shoveling snow—it’s about staying on your feet while doing it. Between undetectable black ice patches and slippery snow layers, the right tools make all the difference. Products like Traction Magic give you more than peace of mind—they give you control. With proper ice traction strategies, including black ice mitigation and traction agents, roof repair becomes less risky and more manageable—even in harsh winter conditions.
Get ready for winter with Traction Magic instant grip on snow and ice
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