Safety - Removing Snow From Your Roof

It's the beginning of January and the weather has been mild and rainy in Pittsburgh and the surrounding areas.

But, the cold temperatures and snow are on their way and we would like to keep you, your family and your home safe from roof damage or collapse.

The snow is so beautiful on rooftops of our homes but sometimes we forget to think about the weight of the snow accumulating on the roof.  Removing snow from your roof can help prevent structural damage and ice dams.  

We recommend hiring a professional for snow removal service but if you choose to do it yourself, keep some of these suggestions to keep you safe.

To make an informed decision about when to remove snow from your roof, consider the following points:

The pitch of your roof — is it shallow or flat?

Flat roofs and shallow pitches have a greater risk for structural damages and roof collapse. Why? Because the snow sits in the same spot and keeps accumulating. With flat roofs, even when the snow melts, the water stays put and could freeze (adding more weight).

Is the snow wet and heavy? Is new snow accumulating on old (or frozen) snow?

Snow density plays a bigger role than you might think. Wet and heavy snow weighs significantly more than snowfall that is light, fluffy or powdery.

Snow drifts and uneven distribution of snow on your roof

Snow rarely sits evenly on your roof. Many times, winds will push the snow into certain areas. For instance, areas where the pitch meets an exterior wall or valley where two slopes meet.

QUICK DO’S OF ROOF SNOW REMOVAL

Start from the edge of your roof when you are attempting to remove snow yourself and work your way onto the roof from there.

Keep in mind that metal tools used during the removal process may cause more damage to your roof and/or have the potential to conduct electricity if the tool comes in contact with a power line.

Use plastic roof snow removal tools, such as a snow rake for pitched roofs.

Try to keep a buildup of snow away from fire escapes, emergency building exits, drain downspouts, and ventilation openings.

Contact a roofing professional to safely remove the buildup of snow if you are worried about the safety of your home or your roof.

QUICK DON’TS OF ROOF SNOW REMOVAL

Don’t attempt to remove heavy layers of snow or ice yourself if you are not fully confident in your ability to do so. Removing snow from your rooftop can be dangerous, particularly if the snow has hardened into ice.

Don’t use sharp tools in attempts to remove snow from your rooftop. This is will not efficiently remove the snow and may very well do more harm than good.​​​​​​​

Don’t attempt to melt the snow/ice on your roof yourself through the use of open-flame devices or electronic devices such as hair-dryers or heat guns. This will only create more ice and add more weight to your roof, which further threatens your rooftop’s structural capabilities.

Don't use a standard ladder if you attempt to remove snow yourself.

Only special ladders - typically utilized by professionals should be used.  Regular ladders may develop ice on the rungs. This also applies to safety ropes and any other rooftop snow removal equipment that you need to use.

Don't add more weight to your rooftop unless it has been approved by a registered profesional roofer.