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.
About the Author