Like any other extreme weather, snow can also do a lot of damage. Large amount of snow accumulation can cause damages and serious structural issues. Check below for some tips on snow removal from the rooftop.
When to remove snow from roof top
Determining when to remove the snow from the roof is important. The roof should be designed and constructed in such a way that it can withstand a significant amount of weight from the snow. The high amount of snow on the roof may cause it to collapse.
A significant amount of snow accumulation can be a reason to be worried, but the weight of snow matters more than the depth of accumulation, as the dry and powdery snow weights lesser than wet snow. Do watch the weather forecast to understand the details about snowfall amount that can be expected and the kind of snow it could be.
Use the right tool to remove the snow from the roof
It is best to remove the snow using a roof rake. Resort to a shovel if removing large amounts of heavy wet snow or snow that has hardened on the roof top. Snow rakes can be used to clear the snow from the roof without even using a ladder. Most of the rakes have an option to extend its length to reach even the overhangs of a two story roof.
A roof rake may not be sufficient if the area has been hit with lot of wet snow for a short period of time. In such cases, a professional has to be hired to shovel the roof.
Use proper technique
When we use the wrong tool or if the tool is improperly used it may cause damage to the roof, open up the roof resulting in new problems. Use the roof rake has small wheels or a bumper to keep it from scraping the shingles. Or use a plastic rake or shovel as it will cause less damage than that can be done using metal rake or shovel. Clear about a foot of snow from the roof at a time.Start from the roof overhangs up towards the peak of roof.
It is extremely important to take utmost care while clearing the roof snow. Getting up on the snow covered and potentially icy rooftop without proper safety equipments is a bad idea. Snow on the rood is not a disaster, but it is better to try to keep the snow accumulation to minimum level. Remove the snow that you can use roof snow rake. Focus on the areas that can be cleaned
easily to stop accumulation like the roof overhangs or eaves. This helps in lessen the risk of ice dams forming.
If the roof is too high or intricate to rake from the ground, it is best to not try to clean it up yourself, instead, hire a professional to do the work efficiently. Professionals definitely have the right tools and safety equipment to clear the snow roof quickly and efficiently.