Icy winter landscapes are beautiful, but they can prove burdensome to homeowners. As snow piles up, all that weight equates to structural stress, especially for buildings with flat roofs.
If your home has a roof with a substantial pitch, ice dams and clogged gutters can still prevent snow from sliding off. Heavy loads of wet snow can eventually lead to shingle damage, stress on load-bearing walls, and even roof collapse.
Removing snow from your roof is a slippery undertaking. Rather than climbing a ladder in the cold or risking a dangerous fall from icy overhangs, we’ll teach you how to keep snow off your roof in the first place.
How to Prevent Snow Build-up On Your Roof
1. Prevent Ice Dams with Heating Cables
An ice dam is just what it sounds like—ice build-up that blocks off sections of your roof and prevents snow from sliding off. And it’s not just snow that can spell trouble for your roof. Ice weighs more than 57 pounds per cubic foot, a load your roof isn’t necessarily equipped to handle.¹
Fortunately, ice buildup and dams are fairly easy and inexpensive to avoid. Invest in heating cables to help the snow slide right off your roof’s back. Position them along sections of the roof or in gutters to prevent icy build-up. But keep an eye on your energy bill and be sure to unplug them when warmer temperatures arrive.
- Versatile and adaptable to most roof configurations
- Inexpensive
- Must be plugged in (electric)
The Heat it HIRD de-icing cable are weather-resistant and insulated electric cables that warm up your downspouts and overhangs, keeping ice out of the eaves. They’re safe to use with metal roofs and roofs with non-combustible shingles.
See our recommendations for other snow safety products that are worth the investment.
2. Calculate Snow Load on Your Roof
While most roofs are designed to hold up to 20 pounds per square foot according to modern building codes, older structures and those with flat roofs may struggle under the weight of even moderate snow accumulation.²
And not all snowstorms are created equal. On average, relatively dry snow weighs around 5 pounds a foot, while wet snow can tip the scales at more than 20 pounds per foot.³
To calculate the snow load on your roof, assume that every inch deep of snow equals 1.25 pounds. Your equation for determining snow load, S x 1.25 = P, is fairly straightforward math. S equals the depth in inches of the snow on your roof and P represents the pounds per square foot your roof is supporting.
Here’s an example. If a snowstorm just dumped about 9 inches of heavy snow on your roof, the equation to determine snow load is 9 x 1.25. That works out to be 11.25 pounds per square foot. According to our math in this example, your roof is probably doing just fine.
Signs Your Roof Is Compromised By Too Much Snow
If you’re still unsure whether your roof is risking damage after a heavy snowfall, FEMA advises homeowners to look for these warning signs.⁴
- Sagging ceiling tiles or boards
- Popping, cracking, and creaking noises
- Interior doors that can no longer be opened or closed
- Cracks in walls or masonry
- Severe roof leaks
Excessive snow accumulation can be the result of ice dams, unbalanced snow load, heavy snowfall or rain, or just simple roof geometry working against you.
Consider consulting with a contractor before next winter to determine what you can do to increase the pitch of your roof and ease the burden of heavy snowfall.
3. Remove Snow from Your Roof with a Roof Rake
If you have too much snow on your roof, you’ll need the right tool for the job. If you have a pitched roof, you can use a long-handled rake to remove snow from your roof. But not just any rake will do. Look for a long-handled roof rake like the one below that’s specifically designed for the job.
Tips for Safe Roof Snow Removal
Never get up on a ladder or on your roof to remove snow. In addition to the hazard of slippery rungs, you would be adding weight to the heavy load your roof is already struggling under.
Here’s what to do instead. First, inspect your roof for loose shingles that could catch on the roof rake. Then scan the area for power lines or tree branches that could interfere.
Start at the edge of your roof with the rake and work you way in, being careful to leave several inches of snow to avoid scraping the shingles and causing costly roof damage.
Last but not least, removing roof snow with a rope is a “don’t try this at home” strategy. While it looks impressive on YouTube, it’s still dangerous because it requires climbing on your overloaded roof to secure the rope.
See our winter safety guide for homeowners for more tips on home safety in the winter.
4. Call In the Professionals to Remove Snow from Your Roof
For safety reasons, we recommend letting a professional remove snow from your roof for cases when a rake won’t cut it. This is especially critical if you have a flat roof that requires shoveling or heavy snowfall that needs a snowblower.
Roof snow removal services are less expensive than you might think—especially when you consider emergency costs for slipping and falling or the kind of damage your home could sustain if the roof collapses.
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FAQs
Do You Have to Clear Snow Off Your Roof?
If you have a steeply pitched roof, chances are your roof is relatively safe during normal snow accumulation. But older buildings and those with metal surfaces or flat roofs require prompt snow removal after heavy snowfall to avoid structural damage.
And if you own a home with solar panels, you should frequently remove snow and ice build-up so the panels stay powered up and on the grid.
How Much Snow is Too Much on a Roof?
Most roofs are designed to hold up to 20 pounds of weight per foot. But since snowfall accumulation of a foot or more can weigh at least that much, you’ll want to keep a close eye on your roof and look for signs of structural stress. When in doubt, it’s best to pick up a roof rake or call a professional.
How Much Does it Cost to Remove Snow From a Roof?
For a home of about 2,500 square feet, snow removal services will charge anywhere from $100 to $300. Prices vary greatly depending on the location and square footage of your home, so it’s best to ask for an estimate upfront.
Sources:
- Reference.com, “How Much Does A Cubic Foot of Ice Weigh”
- NASD, “Snow, Ice Raise Concerns About Excessive Roof Loads on Farm Buildings”
- USA Today, “How much snow is too much snow on your roof?”
- FEMA, “FEMA Snow Load Safety Guidance”
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