How to Clear Snow & Ice Off a High Roof

Ice and snow can cause a variety of damage to roofs.

Ice and snow removal from driveways and paths is relatively simple. All you really need is a snow shovel and some rock salt. Roofs are another matter. Clearing ice and snow off a high roof can be challenging, made all the more urgent by the potential damage they can cause.

Things You'll Need

• Roof rake
• Hose

Instructions

1. Use a roof rake to remove any snow within reach. A roof rake is a long, snow-shovel-like tool that can reach up to 16 feet to brush snow off roofs.

2. Do not try to melt snow on your roof with rock salt or other melting products. Salt can damage your shingles, and the runoff from melting snow can re-freeze and form ice dams. Ice dams are solid ridges of ice that can form on the edge of the roof, blocking water and causing leaks.

3. Do not try to melt ice or snow by increasing the temperature under your roof. Runoff can form ice dams, which are potentially much more damaging than snow alone. It is better to keep your roof as cold as possible to prevent snow from melting and re-freezing.

4. Ensure that your roof is well-insulated. Insulation is essential to keep the outside of your roof cold.

5. Use a hose on a warm day to apply tap water to an icy roof. This should only be done in emergency situations, such as when an ice dam is backing up water and causing leaks. Use the hose to make channels in the ice through which runoff can flow.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are unable to remove snow and ice from from ground level, call a professional for assistance. Climbing up on an icy roof in winter is an accident waiting to happen, and it certainly isn't worth risking your life to prevent roof damage.

• Never use heating devices such as torches to melt ice.

References

• Better Business Bureau: Roof -- Ice & Snow Removal
• Urban Programs Resource Network: Wintry Weather Can Lead to Ice Dams and Leaks
• Popular Mechanics: How to Prevent Ice Dams, and What to Do If You Get Them Read more: How to Prevent Ice Dams - Preventing Winter Ice Dams - Popular Mechanics
• Better Business Bureau: Snow Removal from Roofs
• University of Minnesota: Ice Dams
• UMass Amherst: Preventing Ice Dams