Winter is upon us, and as you know if you’ve lived here for a few years, our winters can get pretty rough. In fact, the snow has been so bad the past few years, snow removal services have been scarce enough that they’ve been able to more or less charge whatever they want. For many private homeowners, this was no major issue, but for commercial accounts it has been and can be devastating. If you call us for our snow removal service, we pride ourselves in our fair and competitive pricing. Snow removal is tedious and strenuous, so let us take care of it!

It’s not merely aesthetic; it’s also a safety issue in certain cases. Many commercial roofs in Bend are flat, which isn’t designed to hold much now – there is potential for the snow to collapse the roof if it’s not cleared in time. Private residences aren’t exempt from potential safety issues either; walking on a roof with any sort of pitch has potential hazards even if there is no snow, but when there is, it’s extremely hazardous. We’ve spent our share of time on icy roofs, even if you’re experienced, the potential to slip and fall off is very high. So, you may think, “Well, my roof isn’t flat and won’t cave in, so I just won’t clear it.” To that, I’ve got two words that a lot of Bend residents have likely become familiar with: ice dams.

Ice dams are what occur when snow sits on your roof for too long, as snow slides down toward the edges of your roof, it will accumulate. Underneath it, ice will form, and can cause water to wick underneath shingles, which leads to leaks. This was an issue which residents have dealt with time after time; the cost of roof repairs is always going to be more than the price of hiring someone to do the snow removal for you. We have a great deal of experience removing snow from roofs, and we aren’t afraid of heights! We have the tools and skills to get the job done. A cheap tip for dealing with ice on your roof by yourself (note: take all necessary safety precautions before doing so) – ice dams can be removed with a simple propane torch. If you choose to make use of this method, ensure that you don’t hold it on there long enough to burn the shingles, just until you get the ice melted. The best method is a sweeping motion that never lingers too long on one spot. A safer alternative to this is using a steamer, but this is obviously more expensive.

The tools for the job can often be one of the main reasons why people call a snow removal service. Sometimes, especially on commercial accounts, the job calls for more than a few shovels. For these instances, we have snow-blowers and snow plows. But, we’ve certainly got the shovels as well! Don’t let tools be a barrier between you and a clear property; give our snow removal service a try instead!

An important thing to note even if you choose not to make use of our snow removal service, please make sure you dispose of your snow responsibly. If in a residential area, never ever allow snow to pile on top of outdoor features, especially any which may be associated with electric or gas. This is a potential hazard, which we’ve seen cause extensive property damage. Likewise, on commercial properties, if there’s any alternative, try to avoid piling on the street, since snow plows often end up forming walls there anyway. This can lead to an accumulation that ends up blocking walkways or falling back into the road.