How to Get Snow Off a Roof

Getting snow off the roof is a tricky job. For regions that get their share of mother natures winter wrath, snow and ice management on your roof is a must do! To protect your home, snow clearing and roof cleaning are par for the course. Keeping your roof clean from snow, can keep a building safe from roof collapsing, build up of ice and escape expensive visits from roofing consultants.

Practice these methods to safely remove snow from your roof, using a roof rake or a shovel.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Snow
• Roof rake or shovel
• Ladder

1. Pick your tool -
   Ideally you would want to use a snow rake. Using a snow rake lets you clean off the snow from the ground, and is all around safer and easier for snow clearing. If you don't have a snow rake, and your roof needs attention, using a plastic shovel is your next best choice.
   
   Make sure the tool you do use will not damage your roof. Plastic shovels and wooden roof rakes are best.

2. Assess the area-
   If you are using a shovel, figure out where you will be placing your ladder. Plan out where you will want the majority of the snow to fall. Good planning of roof cleaning can save you back breaking snow clearing on the ground afterwords.

3. You want to start snow clearing where the snow build up is the heaviest. Set and secure your ladder(if needed). Take the extra time to do it right. Keeping safe while snow clearing should be the number one priority. Start pulling the snow down to the edge of the roof. If there are areas that you can't reach safely, don't strain to reach. It's not important to completely clear off the roof. As long as the edges are clear and the majority of the snow is taken off, it is enough to relieve the roof from the weight of snow.

4. Leave a light layer of snow while you are snow clearing. The layer helps with ice management, by keeping the roof cold. You will minimize ice dams and icicles if your roof is kept cold.
   
   Shovel roof frequently, after every large snowfall. Keeping up with roof cleaning instead of waiting for it to all accumulate to a dangerous amount, will benefit you and your house.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid stepping on a snow covered roof
• Never chip or pick at any ice on the roof

Resources

• More information on snow removal and Ice build-up

[prism]

on 1/31/2009 I bet a lot of people can use this information this year. Thanks for the great instructions!

[hellow99]

on 1/29/2009 I live in Iowa and Mother Nature has sure stuck around this winter. I didn't even know there was such a thing as a snow rake - I'll have to get one. Excellent information and techniques.
5*+Rec

[offgrid]

on 1/28/2009 Great tips. 5 * and Recommended