Here, we’ll be discussing all you need to know about roof snow removal.

All you have to do about clearing snow off rood has been shared in this article.

Snow may be beautiful, thanks to its bright white color, but it isn’t something you want sitting on your roof for long. This is because it has a lot of weight that presses into your roof and can cause structural damage.

How To Remove Snow From Roof

Snow can also melt, and freeze again on its way down, and this forms icepicks hanging from your heaves.

Refrozen snow can also form ice dams, which are even more problematic than the snow itself.

That being said, you must remove the snow from your roof as fast as possible.

Rooftop Snow Removal Options

There are many ways by which you can remove snow from your roof. Let’s take a look at them one by one.

  1. Hire a professional roof snow removal service

Removing roof snow is a dangerous job, as it requires climbing up a cold and slippery ladder. It could also mean working on the roof under the same slippery conditions.

If you have little to no experience working on a roof (especially in cold conditions), then trying to remove the snow yourself would be a huge risk.

You could slip and fall off the ladder, injuring yourself in the process.

With this in mind, hiring a professional roof snow removal service is the best way to remove snow from your roof.

They have more experience, better tools, and better risk management skills than you do. Also, they aren’t expensive to hire, as you’ll be spending around $100 per hour for their services.

Research your chosen company before contracting them for snow removal.

  1. Use roof rakes

Truth be told, you may not necessarily need to climb up your roof to get rid of snow. If your building is not tall and has a flat or low-slope roof, then you can use a roof rake to remove it.

A roof rake is a snow removal tool that has a long handle and a wide blade that is used to pull snow down from your roof. Some models have extendable handles for a longer reach, but they are still not ideal for tall buildings.

If your roof is within the range of a roof rake, then there would be no need to climb up a ladder. All you have to do is stretch the rake over the snow on your roof and gently pull it down.

It is recommended that you start from the edges and then gradually move deeper up the roof. Don’t start from the deep ends, as this could lead to an accumulation of snow by the heaves, and this will make the snow harder to pull down.

It is also best if you rake off the snow before it grows above 6 inches thick. Because the thinner the snow, the easier it will be to rake-off.

The Problems With Roof Rakes

Roof rakes may be helpful for roof snow removal, but they also have some downsides.

  1. It can strike a power line

First of all, roof rakes are made with wide metal blades (the component used to scrape the snow away). This means you have to be very careful when using them around power lines.

If you notice that the power lines are too close to your roof then I advise you to scrap the idea completely.

You wouldn’t only be putting the lines at risk of damage, you will also put yourself at risk of electrocution if the blade hits the power line.

  1. You can accidentally break your shingles

Another issue with using a roof rake is that you could damage your shingles in the process. Remember, shingles can become very brittle in the winter, making them easy to break.

So if you rake too deeply into the snow, you may rip off your shingles in the process.

You don’t have to scrape all the snow off the roof, you can level it to about 2 inches thick. Go deeper than that, and there’s a great chance you’ll pull your shingles off.

  1. It can also damage your gutters and drains

I assume you’d like to keep your gutters clean while snow-raking. But be careful when you do this because you could rip your gutters off if you use too much force.

Removal Of Snow On Roof: What You Shouldn’t Do

Seeing a heap of snow on your roof can trigger you to take immediate action without even thinking about it. And some of these actions could prove to be more damaging than the snow itself.

Here’s what you shouldn’t do for roof snow removal.

  1. Do not use a hairdryer

It may seem possible to use a hairdryer to melt roof snow, and it is. But only if you’re 100% careful and make sure that the melted snow doesn’t make contact with the dryer.

Unfortunately, no human is perfect, and the melted snow will not ask your permission before it makes contact with the hairdryer in your hand.

Keep in mind that the hairdryer is plugged into an electric outlet, and any contact with water will mean an electric shock!

Many homeowners have indeed gotten away with using hair dryers to remove portions of snow from their roof, but that doesn’t make it safe.

Do not risk your life!

  1. Do not use open flame devices

Another thing you must not do for roof snow removal is to use open flame devices.

Yes, fire can melt snow, but it can also burn rubber, plastic, and wood. This means you will be putting your home at risk of catching fire if you unleash a flame thrower at the roof!

Conclusion

Roof snow removal is tricky for two main reasons. First of all, the snow is on the roof, and one wrong move can cause you an injury or damage your shingles.

Secondly, it can turn to water when exposed to heat which makes using a hairdryer dangerous.

Hiring a professional roof snow removal service is the best option. It is safer, more efficient, and cost-effective.

Take care!