The safest way a homeowner can remove snow from a roof is with a roof rake.
Should i remove snow from my roof.
Eric lui a professor of structural engineering and mechanics at syracuse university said a roof built according to state building codes should be able to withstand the weight of any snow that could accumulate.
Why do i need to get the snow removed from my roof.
By removing this snow you are going to minimize risk of damage from ice building up called ice dams.
Others urge people to remove the roof snow to prevent damage later from melting snow and ice dams.
Make grooves in the bottom layer.
Call us at 1 800 ice dams if you have an ice dam on your roof and live anywhere in the lower 48 including in hard hit minnesota illinois and wisconsin.
If you can remove the snow from a ladder with various snow clearing tools do so.
When should i remove snow from my roof.
We are properly licensed bonded and insured and are the top rated ice dam removal company in the us.
Removing snow from your roof after every 6 inches of snow is a good standard to follow.
What to consider when removing snow.
Here s a simple rule for deciding.
The quick answer to when to remove snow from your roof according to most roof warranties snow should be shoveled off roofs before it reaches a depth of 2.
Here s some insight to keep in mind.
We are properly licensed bonded and insured and are the top rated ice dam removal company in the us.
Call us at 1 800 ice dams if you have an ice dam on your roof whether you live in chicago milwaukee madison the twin cities or anywhere else in the lower 48.
Removing snow from your roof is a pain.
You can stand on the ground and use the tool with a pole extension to reach the edge of most two story homes.
Snow rakes or drag lines work well from the ground.
Many factors contribute to when you should remove snow from your roof including the age of the structure and the weight of the snow.
You can end the leaks with a phone call to ice dam guys.
Always keep a layer of about 5 cm 1 in of snow on your roof to protect the waterproofing membrane and avoid damaging the shingles.
Remember that by attempting to remove snow yourself you could end up causing damage to your shingles and roof that could lead to leaks and water damage in.
However you should make sure the ground isn t slippery and that you have the upper body strength to handle the rake and pull off the snow.
Here are thoughts from both sides.
You face the risk of falling and seriously injuring yourself or worse.
If you must get on the roof call a professional.
You can end the leaks with a phone call to ice dam guys.
Ice picks scrapers shovels and metal rakes should be avoided.
Don t remove all the snow.
However local snow removal companies may suggest sticking to the 6 depth to help prevent ice dams.
The only time it may be safe for a homeowner to remove snow from the roof in the winter is if the home is one story and the snow can be removed by working from the ground with a snow rake.
