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Snow is beautiful, but when it comes down too fast, too heavy, and accumulates over multiple storms, it can become a hazard to your roof. The good news is that you can avoid roof damage, costly leaks, falling piles of snow, and roof collapse by simply making sure your roof doesn’t have more than a foot of snow on it at any given time. With basic safety precautions, you can remove snow from your roof so it doesn’t damage your property.
Safety Precautions for Snow Removal
Your protection is much more important than your roof, so take proper precautions if you choose to deal with the snow. Contact a professional snow removal service if you need to. Understand that dealing with the snow yourself can be dangerous.
Stay on the Ground
Whatever you do, don’t get on a ladder when snow is on the ground. And stay off your roof because snow-covered roofs are major fall hazards. Use a roof rake to pull snow down.
Avoid the Use of Heat Guns
Don’t use a heat gun or flame device to try to deal with ice buildup. They can cause major damage to your roof.
Invest in a Roof Rake with a Non-Metal Extension Pole
A roof rake is often the best way to remove snow from your roof. Just realize they usually are all metal, so it’s important to buy and attach a non-metal extension to the rake for your protection.
Avoid Power Lines
Avoid electrocution by staying away from power lines.
Work as a Team
Never attempt snow removal alone. Always work with another individual to lighten the load and prevent accidents.
Be Aware of the Dangers of Falling Snow
Falling snow is super heavy and can cause accidents and injuries to people if they suddenly find themselves under it while you remove it from the roof. Be alert and cautious of falling snow piles. Avoid pulling heavy, wet snow drifts on top of yourself. Stand to the side of your roof on the ground while using the appropriate tools. And watch out for falling icicles as well.
Take Extra Precautions with Children and Pets
As mentioned, falling snow is heavy and dangerous. To avoid accidents, keep children and pets indoors while you remove it.
Dress in Layers
It’s vital that you dress for the occasion if you remove snow. Avoid frostbite and hypothermia by wearing layers so you can easily adjust your attire as needed. Wear a warm hat, gloves, a winter coat, and work boots.
Take Breaks Often
Snow removal is hard work! Take regular breaks to warm up indoors and rest from the strenuous exercise snow removal is.
Create a Path Around Your Home
Before you start removing snow from your roof, grab your leaf blower and blow snow off a path you can walk on all the way around the perimeter of your home. This will give you a better opportunity for good footing as you use the roof rake.
Snow Removal Basics
Consider Your Roof Slope
If your roof has a steep slope, you may never need to remove snow from it because it’s probably going to slide off rather than accumulate. Low-slope and flat roofs are the opposite. The snow can build up in hefty drifts that get weighty over time as they melt, refreeze, and form dangerous ice dams. People with low-slope and flat roofs should be proactive long before a foot of snow falls because their roof won’t hold up to a foot of snow like roofs with a steeper pitch.
Don’t Damage Your Roof in the Process
Snow compacts and gets heavier over time. Stay on top of how much has fallen and gauge how quickly you need to remove it to avoid costly damage. While it’s important to remove snow to prevent problems, it’s essential not to remove all of it. Leave about an inch on your roof to ensure you don’t damage your shingles in the process of removing it. The inch you leave will eventually melt. Before each winter, make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear so when snow melts it will be safely channeled away from your home.
Stay on Top of the Forecast
Monitor weather forecasts when deciding when to remove snow from your roof. Winter weather patterns can create storm clusters. When new snowfall is in the forecast, and you already have an accumulation on your roof, safeguard your property from damage by removing it down to an inch. It’s much easier to deal with it before another snowstorm arrives rather than amidst a storm.
Signs It Is Too Late to Remove Snow
If the snow isn’t removed from your roof in time, damage may have transpired. Signs you have roof damage from snowfall include:
- Creaking noises come from your roof or attic
- It appears your roof is sagging
- Bowing roof decking, beams, or supports
- Water spots or obvious roof leaks appear on your ceilings or walls
- Doors don’t function properly
Contact a reputable roofer if it appears your home has incurred damage from snow.
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