How to Remove Snow From Roof and Why It Matters

Snow removal on the ground can be a pain, but doing it on your home’s roofs presents even more challenges. However, ice dam removal is essential for two critical reasons:

• Preventing ice dams
• Reducing excess weight on your roof

In this article, we will explain when you should take action and which tools are most effective while ensuring safety for your roofs and yourself:

Ice Dam Removal: Preventing Ice Dams on Roofs

What are ice dams?

Ice dams form when a ridge of ice builds up along the edge of your roof, typically in the eavestrough, but they can also appear around skylights, roof vents, and areas where two roofs meet.

 

Poor insulation or ventilation in the attic is the primary cause of ice dams. When heat escapes from your home into the attic, it warms the roofing material, melting the snow. The melted water flows to the colder roof edges, where it refreezes. This cycle of weather fluctuations creates a dam that traps water, increasing the risk of leaks.

Your attic should only be a few degrees warmer than the outside temperature. Proper insulation and ventilation help maintain this balance, reducing the risk of ice dams.

Ignoring ice dams can lead to severe damage, including compromised shingles, broken eavestroughs, and even structural issues. Moreover, ice dams can weigh five times more than snow, adding substantial stress to your roofs.

Ice Dam Removal and Preventing Excess Weight on Roofs

Another major reason to remove snow and ice from your roofs is to prevent excess weight from accumulating. Even a foot of snow spread evenly across your roof can weigh thousands of pounds. Ice is even denser—just one cubic foot can weigh up to 57 lbs.

While roofs are built to withstand some weight, excessive accumulation increases the risk of leaks and structural damage. Insurance claims for roof collapses spike in winter due to excessive snow and ice buildup.

How much weight is too much on your roof?

A simple watch test: Open and close your windows and doors. If they suddenly don’t operate smoothly or seem misaligned, your roof may be under excessive weight.

Another warning sign is cracking noises from your ceiling or attic, indicating stress on the trusses and joists. If you experience these signs, take immediate action for ice dam removal or snow clearing.

However, these signs should not be your only guideline.

When to Remove Snow From Your Roof

For most homes, it’s advisable to remove snow after six inches (15 cm) has accumulated, especially if your roof is prone to ice dams or icicles. If your main concern is weight, consider clearing snow after 1.5 to 2 feet (45-60 cm) of accumulation.

Additional factors to consider include:

Type of Roofs and Their Impact on Ice Dam Removal

• Metal roofs are the best for shedding snow naturally, reducing the need for manual removal. However, improper snow clearing can bend and damage them. If you must clear a metal roof, use a roof rake with caution.
• Asphalt shingles provide durability but do not shed snow as easily as metal. Regular maintenance is required to prevent buildup.
• Slate and wood shingles are less resistant to heavy snow and ice, requiring more frequent maintenance.

Roof Pitch and Ice Dam Removal

Steeper roofs naturally shed snow more efficiently, especially metal roofs. However, some asphalt and wood roofs hold snow even at high pitches, requiring manual clearing. If your roof is too steep or hazardous to access, don’t take risks—call a professional for an emergency snow removal quote.

Roof Design and Snow Accumulation

Complex roof designs, such as converging valleys, can trap large amounts of snow and ice. Even if most of your roof appears to have only six inches of snow, these valleys can accumulate over two feet, adding dangerous weight and increasing the risk of ice dams.

Additionally, watch your ventilation maximums—these vents are crucial for attic airflow, but if covered by snow, they can lead to leaks and insulation damage.

Tools for Ice Dam Removal and Snow Clearing on Roofs

First of all, there is a tool for snow removal and tools for dealing with ice dams.

Tools for Snow Removal on Roofs

The best tools for clearing snow and preventing ice dam removal are a plastic roof rake or shovel. Avoid metal tools, which can damage shingles and other roofing materials.

The most effective roof rakes feature small rollers or bumpers that protect your roof’s surface while clearing snow.

A good rule of thumb: Treat snow removal like brushing your teeth—be thorough but gentle to avoid damaging your roof.

Check out this approach if you are wanting some helpful tips for using a roof rake.

Ice Dam Removal Tools for Roofs

If an ice dam has already formed, consider using roof ice melt tablets (often called icers). These small hockey puck-like tablets melt ice upon contact, creating pathways for water to drain safely.

Do not use road salt—while it’s great for driveways, it can destroy shingles and eavestroughs, leading to costly repairs and voided insurance claims.

If ice melt tablets aren’t effective, professionals use steamers for safe ice dam removal. These machines break up ice without damaging the roof, but they require a water source, which can freeze in extreme cold.

At Clear Ottawa, we use the Arctic Blaster, a state-of-the-art steamer that works even in extreme temperatures without requiring water hookups. If you need emergency ice dam removal, contact us for a quote.

Key Takeaways for Safe Snow and Ice Dam Removal

Removing snow from your home’s roof is crucial for two main reasons:

• Preventing ice dams, which cause water buildup and damage to your home’s roof.
• Reducing excess weight, which increases the risk of leaks and collapses.

Snow should be removed after six inches of accumulation, though factors like roof type, pitch, and design may require more frequent clearing.

For effective snow removal, use plastic shovels and roof rakes to protect your shingles. If ice dams have already formed, ice melt tablets or steamers are the best solutions.

If you feel unsafe or are unsure about removing snow from your home’s roof, don’t take unnecessary risks. Call a professional. If you need ice dam removal in Canada, request a quote from Clear Ottawa today.