When the snow gets deep, time to shovel the roof

Snowstorms have historically plagued many states; notorious areas are located in the Northwest, Northeast and Midwest.

Old world settlers in 1717 fought storms that dumped three to four feet of snow with 25 to 30 foot drifts. Early attempts at snow removal involved citizens going into the streets to level the drifts for sleigh traffic.

Ordinances in many cities required homeowners to clear their sidewalks of snow; however, snow removal was really not practiced by many residents, consequently the mode of travel was by foot.

In 1862, the first snowplow design was put into use in Milwaukee.

The plow was attached to a cart pulled by a team of four horses.

Over the next several years, horse-drawn plows gained popularity across the United States.

Plows were a blessing to city dwellers, enabling winter transportation to recover more rapidly from storms than in previous years.

Motorization of the snowplows came about in 1913. Many cities rushed to motorize their snow removal fleets, abandoning most of their horse-drawn carts.

In conjunction with the new trucks, cities began to use Caterpillar tractors equipped with plow blades to remove snow.

We have come a long way in snow removal over the last 100 years; however, as I travel throughout the county, I have noticed buildings that have caved in because of heavy snow loads.

Technology can only go so far.

If you look at your roof and it has several feet of snow on it, it's time to get out the shovel and remove it; otherwise you may lose everything you have worked for.

I know some will say "I'm not going to worry about it, I have insurance."

My company does a lot of insurance remediation, mitigation and restoration work. Most folks never fully recover all that they lost in a claim.

If you would like to share a cleaning idea or concept with the reading audience, call Ed at NWES (255-2266), e-mail them to madan@surfl.ws or send them to Bonner County Daily Bee, 310 Church St., Sandpoint, ID 83864 Attn: What would Ed do? Information: NWEES.com

? Ed Madan is a certified forensic, fire, flood, mold inspection and remediation contractor.