Local. Family Owned. Trusted.
Winter Storm Prep
Check the forecast, protect your roof and gutters, and call us before the snow piles up.
Local Forecasts
Official watches and warnings come from the National Weather Service:
- Southern NH and Massachusetts: NWS Boston/Norton
- Central and northern NH: NWS Gray, ME
- Vermont: NWS Burlington
What a Winter Storm Can Do
- Ice dams: melting snow refreezes at the roof edge and backs water up under your shingles. That can mean leaks, stained ceilings, wet insulation and rot.
- Heavy snow and ice: the weight can bend gutters, pull hangers loose or tear gutters off the fascia.
- Sliding snow: big sheets can slide off the roof and crush gutters, or land on walkways, cars and decks.
- Clogged gutters: water has nowhere to go, so it freezes in place and makes ice dams worse.
- Refreeze on the ground: water that spills over can freeze on walkways and driveways.
The bottom line: a quick check before the storm is the easiest way to avoid damage inside your home.
Before the Storm
- Clear leaves and debris from your gutters and downspouts. See our cleaning packages.
- Make sure downspouts carry water away from your foundation.
- Look for sagging, loose or leaking gutters and get them repaired.
- Have a roof rake handy, or put us on call for roof raking after 6+ inches of snow.
- Ask about snow guards if snow slides off your roof.
- Check your attic. Frost, damp insulation or a warm attic are early ice dam warning signs.
After the Storm
- Rake the lower few feet of your roof after heavy snow, or call us.
- Watch for thick icicles or a ridge of ice at the roof edge. That’s the classic sign of an ice dam.
- Check ceilings near outside walls for water stains.
- Never chip ice with a hammer or pick. It damages shingles and gutters, and icy roofs are dangerous. We use low-pressure steam instead.
Ice dam leaking right now? Call (603) 899-2465. We have an emergency ice dam team.
How We Can Help
- Ice Dam Removal: gentle steam, no chipping.
- Roof Raking: takes snow weight off your roof.
- Snow Guards: stop snow and ice from sliding off.
- Alu-Rex T-Rex Hangers: stronger gutters under snow and ice.
- Gutter Repair: fix sagging or leaking gutters before winter.
- Gutter Cleaning: clear gutters before the snow.
- All Winter Services
We serve homes within 90 minutes of our Jaffrey, Grantham and Salem, NH offices. Call for a free estimate.
Storm Prep FAQ
1. When should I get my gutters ready for winter?
In the fall, after most of the leaves have dropped and before the first big snow. Clean gutters and downspouts let melting snow drain instead of freezing in place.
2. How much snow is too much for my roof?
After a storm drops more than 6 inches of snow, it’s a good idea to rake the lower part of your roof. Raking takes weight off the roof and helps stop ice dams before they start.
3. How do I know if I have an ice dam?
Look for thick icicles or a ridge of ice along the roof edge, and water stains on ceilings near outside walls.
4. Can I remove ice dams myself?
We don’t recommend it. Hammers and picks can damage shingles and gutters, and climbing an icy roof is dangerous. We use steam machines that gently melt the ice.
5. Do gutter guards help in winter?
Guards keep leaves out so gutters can drain. You may see ice on the guards sooner, and water can drip over the front of the gutter. That’s normal in winter and isn’t caused by the gutters or guards.
6. Do you offer emergency service during storms?
Yes. Call us. We have an emergency ice dam removal team.