What is shaping up to rank among the snowiest Februarys on record in the region has left homes groaning under thick layers of accumulated snow, with more expected this weekend.

Some buildings are up to the challenge. Newer homes can sometimes hold 3 to 4 feet of the white stuff without trouble, said Ryan Okler of Okler Roofing in Kingsford.

But older roofs could be stressed.

“It depends on the structure,” Okler said.

Curt Wenzel clears snow from the roof of his house on West Ludington Street in Iron Mountain.

While a collapse is unlikely, heavy snow can damage more than the roof, he said. Even a slight twist or bend in the structure of the house can result in cracked roof joists, a pillowed ceiling, hairline fractures in drywall or plaster, even warped door frames.

Weight is not the only concern. Snow cover is especially worrisome if a roof is poorly insulated. Heat loss contributes to the formation of ice dams — ridges of ice at the eaves that prevent meltwater from draining.

Though picturesque, the icicles cascading from under heavy snow can cause wood rot, wet insulation and interior damage.

“You need to give water some place to go,” Okler said.

Okler Roofing employees use commercial and custom tools to remove snow, along with hatchets, mauls and sledgehammers to break ice. They’ve been busy and booked solid in the past few weeks.

But Okler stressed caution for homeowners who feel compelled to clear roofs themselves.

“It needs to be done delicately,” he said.

Be certain the ladder used is stable, Okler advised. Know where vents, skylights, valleys and gutters are on the roof and tread with care.

Mark McCarthy, an employee at Lofholm’s Building Center in Norway, doesn’t recommend inexperienced homeowners attempt to clamber up on rooftops.

Instead, McCarthy suggests using a roof rake — a long-handled tool with a wide, angled blade — to clear all but 6 or 8 inches of snow, but no deeper. Raking down to the asphalt shingles could damage surface granules, which protect from ultraviolet rays and extend the life of the roof, he advised.

Kingsford Ace Hardware manager Bill St. John recommends roof rakes with wheels to keep the blade safely above the shingles.

That is, if you can find a roof rake. The 50 to 75 rakes Ace Hardware receives per shipment sell almost immediately, St. John said.

The Iron Mountain-Kingsford area has received about 30 inches of snow so far this month, nearing the February record of 36.8 inches in 1962.

The additional snow expected this weekend might be accompanied by sleet and freezing rain — the kind of wintry mix that weighs heavily on the roof of a home.

Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 29, or at bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com.