While many of us love the idea of a white winter, homeowners know that snow often brings headaches, especially for roofs. Prepare for anything with this complete guide to clearing the snow off your roof.
While a little snow on your roof feels cozy and matches the frosting on your gingerbread house, too much buildup can quickly turn into a serious problem. Excessive snow on your roof can lead to leaks, water damage, or even worse, collapse.
To get a better idea of the risks, it helps to understand the weight of snow. A foot of fresh, light snow typically weighs around 3 pounds per square foot, while wet, heavy snow can weigh up to 21 pounds per square foot. The weight increases even more with ice — just 1 inch of ice weighs almost 5 pounds per square foot, and a foot of ice could add over 57 pounds per square foot to your roof.
This means that even a few feet of snow and ice can create an immense load, putting your roof under significant stress.
As snow melts and refreezes, this constant freeze-thaw process can cause damage to your shingles, and lead to leaks inside your home. Leaky roofs can ruin insulation, damage walls, and even lead to mold — none of which you want to deal with in the middle of winter.
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One of the sneakiest problems snow can create is an ice dam. As we’ll explore in greater detail later, when ice dams form on your roof, they block melted snow from draining properly, causing water to back up and potentially leak into your attic or walls.
And while a roof collapse may feel unlikely, it’s not unheard of, especially in areas that see a lot of heavy, wet snowfall. If your home is older or your roof hasn’t been well maintained recently, all this extra weight can put some serious stress on your roof’s structure, leading to sagging and even collapse.
There’s no need to take big risks with your home’s structural integrity during a winter storm. By regularly clearing the snow off your roof, you’ll see to it that sitting inside and watching the snowflakes fall remains cozier than ever.
Before getting started clearing the snow off your roof, make sure you’ve got the right tools for the job.
Start the snow-on-roof removal process at the edges of the roof, where ice dams are most likely to form. By starting with the eaves, you’re preventing potential problems before they start.
Make sure to stand back from the edge of the roof as you work to avoid any falling snow or ice. Always pull snow down the slope, allowing it to slide off naturally — never sideways or from the top to avoid creating a mini-avalanche.
If you have a flat roof, snow can’t naturally slide off, so it’s especially important to remove snow evenly. Use a roof rake or a shovel to clear the snow in manageable layers, and make sure to distribute the removal process evenly across the surface to avoid creating low spots that could trap water. Take extra care around roof drains to ensure water has a clear path to escape when the snow melts.
The ideal roof snow removal strategy is to work your way up the roof, section-by-section. Once you’ve cleared the edges and eaves, it’s time to keep moving up. As you pull the snow down, go easy on the pressure— remember, the main goal is lightening the load!
Tip: Although your instinct might be to scrape off every last bit of snow, resist that urge. Instead, leave a thin layer of snow (about 2-3 inches) on the surface. Scraping down to the shingles can actually damage them, and a little snow acts as insulation, protecting your roof from fluctuating temperatures.
Although it may be tempting to climb onto the roof to get a better angle, your best bet is to stay on a ladder or, even better, solid ground. Heavy layers of snow on your roof means a disaster waiting to happen. When surfaces are slippery and patches of ice hide underneath, even a small fall can be dangerous.
Plus, the goal of snow removal is decreasing the strain on your roof. The last thing you want to do is add more weight to it.
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Preventing ice dams from forming is as important a part of winter maintenance as removing snow from your roof. Because ice dams form when heat escapes from your home and causes the snow on your roof to melt, managing the temperature transfer between your attic and the outside world is key.
First, make sure your attic is well-insulated. Insulation keeps heat from escaping through your roof, which minimizes snow melt and the possibility of ice dams forming. Also, ensure that your attic is adequately ventilated, which regulates the attic’s temperature and sees to it that your roof stays cold. Depending on the layout of your attic, you can add vents or insulation yourself, or look into hiring a Pro
Removing snow from your roof should be a part of regular winter home maintenance, but keep your eye out for any warning signs that indicate that the situation is more serious than you expected. Look out for the following:
If you notice any of these signs, it may be time to call a roofing or snow removal Pro for help.
Use a Snow Gauge: If your area experiences frequent snows, consider using a snow gauge to measure the snow depth on your roof. This can help you determine when it’s time to remove snow before it reaches a problematic level, as well as helping you monitor the overall snow load over the winter season.
Check for Ice Build-Up on Gutters: After a heavy snowfall, inspect your gutters for ice build-up. Clogged gutters can prevent melted snow from draining away, leading to water pooling on your roof. If you notice any ice accumulation, use a hose to gently run hot water over the ice buildup to melt it, or consider installing heat cables if this is a frequent problem.
Clear Snow Before it Melts: If the forecast predicts warmer temperatures, it’s best to clear the snow as soon as possible. Once snow begins to melt, it becomes heavier and harder to remove, and wet snow can contribute to ice dam formation as it freezes again.
After a heavy winter storm, it can feel like you’re in a tough spot without a solution in sight. Luckily, American Home Shield® has got you covered. Just like taking preventative steps to protect your home from winter woes, prevent unexpected hits to your budget through an American Home Shield home warranty plan. With coverage for all of your home’s major systems and appliances, American Home Shield makes sure that breakdowns inside the home will never lead to the winter blues.
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