 While snow-covered roofs can make for a picturesque winter scene, the combination of freshly fallen snow with the melting and refreezing of snow can place stress on the roof of your home or business. If more than a foot of heavy, wet snow and ice have accumulated on the roof, you should have it removed.
Snow Removal Tips: Clearing the snow off your roof from the gutters or eaves upwards of three to four feet after each winter storm can help prevent ice dams from forming. Remember to avoid using a ladder in snowy and icy conditions. This can be extremely dangerous and is best left to professionals. For Flat Roofs: If your flat roof is easily accessible from an interior stairway, you may want to shovel the roof, but be careful not to damage the roof covering. Remember to put safety first any time you are on a roof, especially one that is covered in snow and ice. If you have any doubt, leave it to professionals. For Sloped Roofs: It may be possible to remove the snow and ice from your sloped roof using a roof rake – a long-handled tool designed specifically for this purpose. Stand on the ground and pull as much of the snow off the eaves as you can safely reach. If you cannot safely reach the roof, contact a home builder, landscaping and roofing contractor, or property maintenance company to remove the snow and ice. Before hiring a contractor, check their references. Always be sure any contractor you hire is qualified, insured and bonded. The amount of snow and ice your roof can support will depend on a number of factors, including the roof type as well as the age and condition of the structure. But a good rule to keep in mind is if more than a foot of heavy, wet snow and ice has accumulated on your roof, you should have it removed.
41 Comments
2/23/2016 08:23:42 pm
Safety is definitely the number one thing to keep in mind when you start cleaning the snow off of your roof come winter time. With so much ice and snow present, one wrong move could lead to you falling off of the roof and ending up in some serious pain. As the article points out, one of the best things to do is to evaluate the situation on your roof and call on professionals for help if you think the risk is too high. 7/2/2018 04:08:44 pm
Thank you for pointing out how important it is to not use ladders when clearing the roof of snow because it can be dangerous. I also like it when you said that it is best to be left in the hands of professionals. That is the same thing my mom said when we talked about not letting the roof be completely covered with snow. I will be sure to remember this for this year's snow season. Our roof is pretty sensitive now after all. 9/13/2018 04:44:40 pm
I agree with you when you said that in terms of snow removal, the person needs to consider safety first and call the professionals if they are not sure. Even if the roof is just a few feet from the ground, I still think I need to call a professional snow remover. After all, the roof can be a little bit slippery during wet and cold seasons. Even we are to say that it is fairly flat. 9/26/2018 06:36:56 pm
Thank you for mentioning that snowy or icy conditions are extremely dangerous and that it is best that the person hires a professional to remove the snow if this is the case. I will be sure to keep this in mind, especially since we receive a lot of snow from time to time. Dad has weak knees anyway if it becomes too snowy or slippery, I will ask him to hire pros instead as it can be dangerous considering the angle of the roof. 7/25/2019 08:01:45 pm
Last year, there was a lot of snow on my property that I really couldn't get rid of. I think that for this year, I'll see about hiring someone to come and get rid of it for me. As you said, they would have the equipment to get rid of the snow safely. I was considering doing the job myself but my wife also thinks that it's best to hire a professional. Now I do too because of what you mentioned about safety, I don't even have the proper tools! I'll have to make sure to check the references or a roofing company before I hire one as you suggested. 10/30/2019 07:14:06 am
I agree that you should put safety first every time you are on a roof. You don't want to fall off and get yourself hurt. Do you have any safety tips for getting the snow off your roof? 11/25/2019 06:14:50 pm
You made a great point about flat roofs and how you should be sure not to damage the roof by shoveling. My husband and I live in Vancouver and we get a lot of snow, so we are looking for tips on snow removal. We will keep these tips in mind and find a professional that can help us remove our snow. 6/30/2020 01:44:03 pm
Thanks for advising people to leave snow removal to the professionals if you need to use a ladder. They'll have all the necessary tools. Also, if they get hurt, it'll be covered by their insurance. 3/2/2021 02:27:28 am
Excellent writing! We can take away a lot of important information from this article. Keep sharing great posts. 3/3/2021 04:49:43 am
The way you discussed the topic with ease and completeness is really amazing. Thanks for this article! 3/3/2021 05:02:13 am
This is a good article. It is a combination of fun and informative. Thanks for sharing this! 8/12/2021 07:12:45 am
Thank you for giving us a direct and straight to the point answer! It greatly helped in clearing our confusion. 8/16/2021 06:31:39 am
This is well worth a read. You presented great insight and information. Thanks. 8/16/2021 06:35:27 am
I like the helpful info you supply for your articles. Thanks for sharing a smart thought. 9/22/2021 03:42:22 pm
I like your roofing tips. I need to hire a contractor. My roof is leaking. 11/6/2021 08:40:13 am
Do remove the snow from your roof either by shovel or by rake, whichever is easiest and safest for you, so that you reduce the chance of ice dams forming on the roof. 11/6/2021 08:58:26 am
Do make sure you clear the overhangs and eves and all areas of the roof to ensure snow and ice loads do not grow too heavy. 11/6/2021 09:38:03 am
Don’t use salt products on your roof because it can damage your materials and damage your yard and driveway, and anything located below on the ground. 11/17/2021 02:13:16 pm
Clearing the snow off your roof from the gutters or eaves upwards of three to four feet after each winter storm can help prevent ice dams from forming. Remember to avoid using a ladder in snowy and icy conditions. This can be extremely dangerous. 11/25/2021 11:35:37 am
Clearing the snow off your roof from the gutters or eaves upwards of three to four feet after each winter storm can help prevent ice dams from forming. 11/27/2021 02:36:40 pm
However, there still is a risk of structural damage, especially with large and flat roofs. 11/27/2021 02:56:23 pm
Removing snow completely from a roof surface can result in serious damage to the roof covering and possibly lead to leaks and additional damage, according to the Snow Load Safety Guide, 12/23/2021 06:40:32 pm
I appreciate what you said about shoveling off snow from your flat roof. I need to hire a roofer to patch up a hole. We have a leak that goes into our living room. 5/16/2022 03:22:20 pm
Most of the time snow removal is not necessary but that ultimately is your decision. Please read my snow removal blog here. Please remember that by getting up on your roof and removing snow could potentially cause damage to roof and others parts of your home. 8/25/2022 04:43:54 pm
I never considered that ice dams could form. I need to get a roofer to chip out the ice from my roof. I don't want holes forming in the roof. 3/6/2023 09:15:13 pm
Thank you for mentioning that with a roof rake—a long-handled instrument made expressly for this purpose—you might be able to clear the snow and ice off your sloped roof. My sister's roof is completely covered with snow. I'll advise her to call for snow removal. 5/16/2023 03:16:10 pm
I found this blog post to be incredibly informative and helpful in understanding the importance of snow removal from roofs and the associated safety considerations. The explanation of how the combination of snowfall, melting, and refreezing can stress the roof was eye-opening. 1/14/2024 05:47:47 am
Thanks the blog provides roof snow removal tips. Can you share a couple of tips mentioned in the blog for safely and effectively removing snow from roofs, and why is it important for homeowners?
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This blog posting is super read to explore in our daily life and easy to implement. Great post with practical tips! I remember the first winter in my new house when we had to deal with a huge snow pile on the roof—trying to clear it ourselves was a nightmare! I totally agree with the safety reminders; it's just not worth the risk. Thanks to the author for sharing these insights! 2/5/2025 06:04:35 am
Heavy snow can put a lot of stress on your roof, so it’s important to clear it before it causes damage. Stay safe this winter! If you happen to need a roofing contractor, feel free to visit our site! 2/15/2025 05:47:17 am
Great tips! Safety is key when dealing with snow on a roof. If you need a reliable roofing contractor, feel free to visit our site! 3/25/2025 10:04:21 pm
Great advice! Keeping the eaves clear can make a big difference in preventing ice dams. Safety first—leave the tough jobs to the pros. If you happen to need a roofing contractor, feel free to visit our site! Leave a Reply. |
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