St. Paul advises residents to clear roofs of snow

Published 9:12 am Thursday, December 30, 2010

ST. PAUL, Minn.  — The city of St. Paul is advising residents to take action to clear their rooftops of ice and snow now, to avoid potential damage in the future.

Department of Safety and Inspections Director Ricardo Cervantes says ice dams could cause leaking, and there is also a potential for structural roof collapse.

He says water retention from an expected rainfall could make matters worse, especially on large, flat roofs.

Cervantes says it’s good to remove buildup around skylights and mechanical vents. If residents don’t feel safe clearing their own roofs, he advises calling a professional.

Building official Jim Bloom also reminds building owners to keep exit doors and windows free of ice and snow so they can be used in the event of an emergency.