When Should You Remove Snow From Your Roof?

A dusting of snow can be a beautiful sight and make you feel like you are living in a winter wonderland. After a mild snowfall, snow and ice will often melt and clear themselves, requiring no additional work from you. However, if you have a heavier snowfall and are concerned about your roof, then you may want to take some steps to remove the snow. 

When Should You Remove Snow From Your Roof?

Before you break out your snow boots and ladder, keep in mind that snow and ice removal is a potentially dangerous task that is best left to a pro. From slipping to major falls, would it not be better to stay safely on the ground, sipping hot cocoa, while an expert handles snow removal for you?

There are several occasions when removing snow from your roof is recommended:

• Remove snow from your roof if you have six inches or more of snow because ice dams could form at this depth. If you notice ice dams on your roof after a snowfall, it is best to remove them to protect your roof and home.

• If you experience a significant snowstorm of two or more feet of snow, your roof may not be able to hold it. Wet snow and ice are heavy and put pressure on the roof. If there is too much pressure, it can cause damage to the roof or, in extreme cases, collapse. 

• Remove snow from flat roofs, such as on porches and sunrooms. They are more prone to damage and collapse, since they do not clear as quickly as a pitched roof. 

How Much Snow Can a Roof Hold?

Wondering how much snow your roof can support? Figuring this out will help you schedule snow removal on time. Assuming that your roof is in good condition and not past its typical lifespan, it can withstand 20 pounds per cubic foot of snow. Different snow types weigh differently, so this equates to two feet of packed snow, two to three feet of old and new snow, or just one inch of ice.

How Pros Remove Snow From Your Roof

When you have determined that you should remove snow from the roof, it is time to call in the experts. Professionals typically work in teams. They climb onto the roof to clear the snow away and use steam or a hammer to break and remove any ice. 

A good contractor will find the source of an ice dam and propose a fix. The ice dam may stem from poor attic insulation and ventilation; however, an attic bypass is the primary cause of many ice dams. Bypasses are hidden passages that allow warm air to flow into attics and melt snow on a roof, which then freezes. 

An annual snow removal contract costs, on average, $350 to $450.

When You Should and Shouldn’t Do Your Own Roof Snow Removal

You are the type to do everything yourself, so what about roof snow removal? Read up on the dos and don’ts of this task before breaking out the ladder (spoiler alert: keep the ladder in the garage).

When Is It Safe to Remove Snow From Your Roof Yourself?

The only time you should do your own roof snow removal is if you have a roof rake, which is a roof snow remover tool. This tool allows you to clear some of your roof while keeping both feet on the ground. Otherwise, you need to call in a pro to handle the job. Climbing on top of a dry roof is dangerous enough, so attempting to do it in snowy or icy weather without proper safety gear could spell disaster for a DIYer.

When Is It Dangerous to Remove Snow From Your Roof Yourself?

Photo: Perry Mastrovito / Image Source / Getty Images

As long as you take proper safety precautions, roof raking is a job that most DIYers can do. Anything else is too dangerous to do yourself.

Roof rakes have a limited range, clearing only a few feet from the roof’s edge, which leaves snow accumulation on the top or middle of your roof. If your area gets a lot of snow, then eventually you will need to hire a pro to help with snow removal. They are the only ones that can do the job safely and thoroughly.

Note that, while roof raking can help prevent ice dams, sometimes it can cause ice dams to form higher up on your roof. If this happens, you should call in an ice dam removal company to help.

Should You Remove Icicles From Your Home?

Icicles hanging from the roof, porch, or doorway can be a safety hazard, as they are very sharp and may injure people if they fall off and hit someone. For this reason, remove any icicles where people will walk by gently knocking them down with a broom, shovel, or roof rake. Do not stand on a ladder to remove them.

What Are Ice Dams and How Can You Prevent Them?

Ice dams can be a reason for concern, so it is important to understand what causes them. After a heavy snowfall, snow begins to melt on the roof because of hot air rising. However, before this melted snow and ice reach the gutters or edges of the roof, it quickly refreezes at the eaves. Ice dams create a blockage preventing snow higher on the roof from getting to the gutters. 

Ice dams can cause standing water to get stuck on your roof and enter beneath the shingles. This standing water can cause leaks and damage to both your roof and, potentially, the inside of your house as well. The water can damage the ceiling, walls, and insulation, leading to mildew and mold in the home. 

Ice dam removal costs $1,200 on average, so it is a great idea to do what you can to avoid having to pay for it. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Use a Roof Rake to Prevent Ice Dams

Roof rakes allow you to stand on the ground and use an adjustable pole to reach high up. The blade attaches to the pole and is able to catch and slide the snow off the roof. A roof rake can help prevent ice dams and is compatible with most two-story houses. Be sure you are standing on snow that is not icy or slippery to avoid injury. 

Install a De-Icing System

If you live in an area with harsh winters and frequent heavy snowfall, you may want to invest in a de-icing system. These systems can be installed on noncombustible shingles and are compatible with most asphalt shingles. 

A de-icing system works with most metal roofs, but be sure to get the appropriate model. Check with a professional roofer to see if this is a safe choice for your roofing material and, if so, which system works best for your home. 

Homeowners should be aware that de-icing systems need to be installed prior to any snowfall, not when snow is already on your roof. Have it professionally installed in the spring, summer, or fall, before any anticipated snow. 

Since installation requires being on the roof with ladders and specific knowledge about optimal placement for the cables and roofing material, only a professional can install them. A de-icing system needs an outdoor GFCI electrical outlet that an electrician can install if you do not already have one. 

The system consists of de-icing cables attached to the roof on the eaves and often in the gutters. The cables heat up and keep the melted snow from freezing again before reaching the gutters and drainage system. The heated cables prevent and melt ice dams. 

A de-icing system will increase your monthly energy bill since they require a lot of electricity to generate heat. Some systems self-regulate and adjust to the current outdoor temperature to help conserve energy. Once warmer weather arrives, unplug the system, but it can be left up year-round. 

Another method of lowering your energy consumption is installing solar panels. Once part of the panel is exposed to the sun, heat will slowly spread throughout the panel and begin to melt the snow or ice. Many roofing contractors are adopting solar solutions, so contact a local roofing or solar contractor for more information.

When Should You Hire a Professional to Remove Snow and Icicles From Your Roof?

Here are the situations in which you should hire a professional for roof snow removal:

• If you need a ladder to take care of the snow removal

• When you are getting close to 20 pounds per square foot of snow accumulation

• When roof raking is not enough to keep snow accumulation below 20 pounds per square foot

• If you notice an ice dam forming (icicle formation can indicate ice dams)

• If you see signs of a roof leak inside your home

• If you notice signs of an overloaded roof (like doors not closing properly)

Now that you know when to remove snow from your roof, you can keep an educated eye on the situation. Snow removal should be left to professionals if you cannot remove it yourself with a roof rake. You may also want to use a professional since they have special equipment and skills. Find a local snow removal service near you.