DIY: Shoveling a Roof
Heavy loads of snow on roofs can cause leaks or structural damage. Due to snow settling on the roof and warming underneath that melts the snow a little, one foot of dry snow on the roof can equal 3 pounds per square foot, and wet snow can weigh seven times more than dry snow. Although it's necessary to get the snow off of the roof, it's important to approach the job with common sense for safety's sake. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Clear a level path around the house where you can stand or place a ladder safely, and pack the snow down so you don't fall into any holes while you work. A ladder that extends 3 feet higher than the roof is the appropriate size for this job. Place the ladder against the gutter or slope of the roof. Have a partner hold the ladder steady and alert you to any dangerous situations.
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Climb the ladder and begin to work from the bottom of the roof. Reach up with the shovel and scoop the the snow toward you and off of the roof. Allow a thin coating of snow to remain on the roof that is thick enough to prevent damage from the shovel to shingles, tiles or nails. Never run the shovel upward over the roof; this can also damage shingles, tiles and nails. Move the ladder around the house, as needed, to clear the entire bottom portion of the roof.
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Climb onto the roof when you've completed the roof's bottom portion. Shovel the rest of the snow downward and off of the roof. Check around the roof's valleys or anywhere two roof pitches come together; accumulations can be highest there. Make sure the roof is clear of snow, except for the 1-inch protective coating. When you are finished, carefully climb back down the ladder.
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Tips & Warnings
Dress appropriately. Avoid wearing anything so tight that it restricts your movements. Loose-fitting layers that you can take off if you become too warm are best. Wear boots with soles that grip ice.
A roof rake -- a tool with a handle that extends for several feet and has a rectangular scraper at the top -- can help you clear more of your roof from the ground or ladder. However, the scraper at the top tends to be less wide than a shovel, so it might take longer to get all of the snow off.
Use a snow cutter, which is similar in design to a roof rake, for icy, crusted snow.
Do not climb on the roof if the roof appears lower in the middle, or if there is buckling sheet metal or dented siding near the roof, as these can indicate a weakened structure that can cause the roof to collapse.
Large buildings such as barns should be left to professionals, who have the proper tools and procedures for snow removal.
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