7 Crucial Safety Measures to Know Before You Remove Snow from Your Roof

Before you shovel the snow off your driveway and clear the sidewalk, take a look at your roof. Removing snow from the roof isn’t the easiest winter task, but it can save your house from major damage and prevent unnecessary safety risks to people and pets around your home. Failing to remove snow in time could lead to ice dams that cause water damage, gutter damage and even roof collapse.

Below, we’ve explained how to remove snow from your roof and offered 7 crucial safety measures to follow.

When to Remove Snow From Your Roof

If you’re new to a house or you’ve never lived in a snowy region before, it can be difficult to know when it’s necessary to remove snow from your roof. You may wonder if you need to remove the snow from your roof as soon as it starts falling, or if it’s best to let a certain amount accumulate before removing it.

You don’t have to remove snow from your roof as soon as it begins to fall, but you should monitor its depth and remove it if it reaches more than 6 inches. If the snow reaches a depth of 12 inches, it begins to cause significant structural stress. Additionally, you should pay attention to the type of snow that’s falling, as wet, heavy snow will cause more strain than light, powdery snow.

If you have a metal or steep-pitched roof, snow is more likely to slide off on its own. However, lower-pitched roofs and shingled roofs tend to retain snow more tightly, which can lead to ice dams if not physically removed. These ice dams can cause snow and ice to back up beneath the shingles and roof components, leading to roof leaks that cause numerous future issues, like mold, rot and other water damage.

Flat roofs are particularly prone to snow accumulation and more likely to collapse from the weight, but most building codes require supplemental structural support or minimum roof pitches in areas that see a lot of snow.

Best Tools for Snow Removal

The best tool for removing snow from a rooftop is a roof rake with a telescoping handle, as it allows you to remove as much snow as possible without getting on the roof or climbing a ladder. They’re highly effective on most peaked roofs, though they may not be long enough on homes with multiple stories or intricate rooflines.

Note: When working with telescoping roof rakes, take special care to avoid accidental contact with overhead power lines and utilities.

How to Remove Snow From a Peaked Roof

When removing snow from a peaked roof, use a telescoping roof rake to remove one to two feet of snow around the perimeter of the roof, then work your way further up until the rake no longer reaches or you’ve removed all the snow. Any bit of snow you remove takes stress off the roof and lessens the risk of a collapse.

How to Remove Snow From a Flat Roof

When removing snow from a flat roof, a telescoping roof rake isn’t nearly as effective. In most cases, you must get on the roof and rake off the snow.

While many homeowners choose to do this themselves, we recommend hiring a professional service, as it can be very risky, and flat roofing materials are more prone to tearing than those used on peaked roofs.

If you must go on the roof, maintain a safe distance from the edge, remove the snow evenly to avoid uneven weight distribution and only use roof-safe shovels that won’t tear the roofing material. Never climb onto the roof if the surface is icy or damaged.

To avoid damaging your roof during snow removal, don’t try to remove too much. It’s okay to leave a thin layer of snow rather than risk scraping or tearing the roofing material.

Safety Precautions

Whenever removing snow from a roof, wear warm, waterproof workwear, gloves and boots. If there’s any risk of ice falling, protective eyewear should be worn. For significant ice risk, consider wearing a helmet or hard hat. When it’s time to get started, follow these tips for staying safe while removing snow from a roof:

• Always work from the ground. Never get on the roof when removing snow, as the slippery conditions make the work environment significantly dangerous.
• Avoid standing directly beneath the eave. While working from the ground is preferable, standing directly in the fall zone can lead to injury.
• Always work with a partner. Due to the dangerous conditions, removing snow from a roof should always be done with a partner who can assist and monitor the situation.
• Remove ice ahead of time. If ice is present on the ground, take time to remove it or avoid these areas when working.
• Only use a ladder if absolutely necessary. Ladders are hazardous in the snow, as they’re slippery, it can be challenging to find a support spot to set them up and you’re wearing cumbersome clothing.
• Always remove icicles first. If icicles have built up on the eaves and gutters, be sure to remove them before working beneath them to prevent them from falling on you.
• Never use sharp tools. Sharp tools do more harm than good when removing snow from a roof, as they will likely damage your roof material.

When to Hire a Professional

Consider calling a professional snow removal service if any of the following are true:

• Your home is multiple stories
• There’s a significant snow load
• Your roof is damaged
• Ice dams have already formed
• Outside conditions are severe
• You lack the proper tools or protective gear