Yahoo News Why a lack of snow on a neighbour's roof isn't always proof they're criminals
With the first flurry having fallen last night many of us will welcome the sight of snow-covered rooftops as a sign that winter is here.
Last year Lancashire Police shared a list of signs that a property is being used in the production of cannabis and 'no snow on a roof when the rest of the houses have it' was given as an example.
Officers shared an image of a clear roof at the time and said: "If you see a roof like this it could mean there is a cannabis factory inside, the proceeds of which will help to fund organised crime. Give us a call on 101 and we will apply a different kind of heat to those responsible."
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However, a lack of snow on a neighbour's roof isn't necessarily a sign that they're growing cannabis and home-owners are being urged to keep an eye on their properties.
An even covering of snow on your roof means that your loft insulation is doing its job. It also means that your home is benefiting from an extra layer of protection from the cold temperatures outside.
Flame Furnace has issued the following advice to home-owners: "A roof that is evenly snow covered means that home’s insulation is doing its job. Think about it: during the winter months we put a lot of effort into heating our homes.
"However, heat naturally rises. So, if your home has lots of leaky spots and not enough attic insulation, that warm air is going straight to the attic and out to the roof, melting snow.
"If you start to notice big spaces on your roof that aren’t snow covered, you have a problem. Those are areas where the insulation is not working properly.
"Not only are you losing energy and money, these patches of melting snow can lead to serious problems such as ice dams.
"An ice dam forms when snow begins melting from the upper parts of the roof, but re-freezes once it hits the overhang at the bottom of the roof. Ice builds up, creating a dam. Water from melting snow gets blocked behind it and leaks into your home.
"Shingles are meant for water to run down, not up. Which means that when water from melted snow gets backed up behind an ice dam, that water can get underneath shingles and into your home.
"The best way to prevent this from happening is by making sure that your attic is properly insulated."
