Monroe Chat

...... A cave-in could occur if heavy snow and ice weaken a home’s roof.
Also ... check for icicles, I noticed some rather significant (in length) icicles on an elderly neighbors porch ... scary when considering that other than her garage (were she driving out of her home) this would be her first choice when checking mail, receiving guests, etc...(Especially noting the rise in temps of late!)

Middletown Journal reports:


MIDDLETOWN — After a stretch of seemingly nonstop snow, the area got a break from bad weather in the last few days. Temperatures hovered around 40 degrees and the sun was out most of the day Friday, Feb. 19.

Although snow shovels were out of sight, property owners are now faced with a bigger problem: leaking and damaged roofs that could cave in.

Investigators say that is the cause of the roof collapse on Friday afternoon at the Poasttown First Church of God in Madison Twp.

Jeff Pergram, sales estimator for Mitchener’s Roofing, said the company has been getting 15 to 20 calls per day from residents seeking help with their roofs weakened by snow and ice.

“A heavy amount of snow and ice can start forcing downward and applying more weight on your roof and it may not be designed to handle that,’’ Pergram said.

He and other roofers urge residents to clean out roof valleys with a garden hoe and to check for leaks.

“If you’re seeing leaks, something is already penetrating the shingles. You need to look in the attic and try to clean the area and get your shingles replaced. You have to be really mindful about the situation,” Pergram said.

Dan Mink, owner of Mid-Miami Roofing, advises routine maintenance and for property owners to unblock gutters and drains to prevent water from building up.

“When a roof caves in, usually the reason is they’ve allowed leaks to weaken the structure,” Mink said.