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Generally, snow removal from a roof should occur once over six inches of snow accumulates, especially if you notice that ice dams have formed. Without ice dams, you can let the snow accumulation hit 12 inches before removing it. However, the amount of snow that is too much for your roof also depends on the sturdiness of your roof and the compactness of the snow. If your roof needs maintenance or has structural issues, it’s best not to let the snow accumulate too much for fear of collapsing.

While it is possible to remove snow from your roof without a professional, we don’t recommend it. Accessing your roof can be a dangerous task; pair that with slippery ice and snow that can be heavy to move, and you have a very risky problem on your hands. This dangerous situation becomes more high-risk when there’s a snowstorm or your roof has a steep pitch. To ensure that everyone stays safe, be sure to call a roof snow removal specialist to complete this job with the proper tools and equipment.

While removing every snowflake from your roof is unnecessary, you should remove a significant buildup of snow. Since snow is wet and heavy, it can easily cause damage to your roof, which can lead to needing costly repairs. 

Additionally, when the snow melts but has nowhere to go and refreezes, it can create an ice dam, causing mold concerns due to water leaking into your attic and ceiling. For these reasons, it’s best to hire a snow removal professional to clear heavy snowfall from your roof as soon as possible.

Yes, some homeowners insurance policies cover roof damage caused by snow. However, these full or partial payouts can vary depending on the age of your roof and other related factors, like the overall condition it was in before the snowfall. It’s best to check with your specific homeowners insurance policy to determine snow damage coverage and exclusions.

The cost of removing snow from a roof averages between $300 and $700. However, this cost can range from $200 to $3,000, depending on the size of your roof, the amount of snow, and roof accessibility. 

Since snowfall can range from light powder to heavy and condensed snow, part of the price of roof snow removal depends on the amount and type of snow. For 12 inches of snow, you can expect to pay between $200 and $2,000 for this job. However, for 24 inches of snow, that price rises to $300 to $3,000.