Roof Snow/Ice Removal Techniques & Procedures
The first snow of the winter is feathery, but as winter wears on, every snow storm can become a weighty issue. Snow can stress roofs, but more likely does its damage as it melts and refreezes over gutters in ice dams that force open spaces between and under shingles. A cubic foot of snow can weigh from 8 to 20 pounds, depending on moisture content. Ice puts an uneven load on the edge of the roof. If you live in an area where heavy snows fall throughout the winter, start removing snow before ice dams start to form. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Roof rake
- Push broom
- Snow cutter
- Garden hose
- Heavy parka with hood
- Work gloves
Instructions
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Survey your roof after each snowfall, especially the west slope, for icicle formation, which is a clue that ice dams are beginning to form. Clear the lower third of the roof’s slope of snow with a push broom or roof rake by reaching up over the snow, dropping the rake and then backing up, pulling the rake toward you.
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Clear lower roofs first, then pull snow from upper roofs to avoid burying yourself. After clearing the upper roof, return to the lower roof and pull any remaining snow off the bottom third. Add extensions to roof rake handles to reach second-floor roofs.
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Use a snow cutter, which is a long-handled rake that resembles a big cheese slicer, to break up deep snow. Lift it up over the snow, starting at the eaves, and drop it down, chopping off squares of snow so they can be removed with the roof rake.
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Put breaks in ice dams so that melting snow can get off the edge of the roof. Use a hose to cut channels through ice dams with tap water on a sunny day. Repeat the procedure every few days to keep the channels open -- night freezes will eventually close them.
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Tips & Warnings
Take two measures next summer to make next winter less stressful. Install heat tapes if your community’s building code allows them and insulate and ventilate your attic so heat radiating upward from your living spaces doesn’t contribute to ice dam formation.
Building codes require roofs to withstand a load of 30 to 40 pounds per square foot -- more in areas where winters are severe.
If you need a ladder, chose one that extends 3 to 4 feet above the eaves. Secure the base with sandbags or cement blocks and tie down the top so the ladder can’t slide in a gust of wind.
Use roof rakes and cutters that have rollers to keep the rake tines or squeegee blade and the cross-brace on the cutter from damaging roofing materials.
Rakes and cutters come with handles averaging from 16 to 20 feet long. Purchase your roof rake from a manufacturer that makes 5-foot extensions for the handle.
Never pull clumps of icicles upward to remove them from your roof. You may pull up the bottom row of shingles with them, allowing water an easy entry point to your house’s interior.
Snow-covered roofs are slippery slopes. Never climb up onto the roof unless you have experience and have a spotter to call 911 in case you fall.
When clearing a roof, always have an escape route planned, stand well back of your roof’s drip line, and wear heavy gloves and a head covering, preferably a padded hood. You may be pelted with an avalanche of snow and ice.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
