Should I Remove Snow From My Roof?

12/31/2019 (Permalink)

Typically, you shouldn't remove snow from your roof unless it's completely necessary. This is usually in two scenarios:

1. You think that your roof may collapse from the weight of the snow.
2. You have a recurring problem with ice dams and are attempting to prevent them from forming. 

If you have to remove snow from your roof for one of these reasons, you'll want to make sure that you take the necessary precautions to do it safely and correctly.

When is Your Roof at Risk of Collapsing?

The majority of roof collapses from snow occur on flat roofs. This is due to the fact that snow has nowhere to go on a flat surface, so it continues to accumulate. Over time, this can lead to an exceedingly heavy weight of snow. This is when your roof can possibly be at risk of collapsing. If your roof has a small pitch (i.e sloped, but still relatively flat) you should also be cautious about snow buildup.

How to Test if There’s Too Much Snow

Fortunately, you don’t need to climb out on your roof with a ruler to measure the amount of snow. A simple test that you can do is try to open every door and window in your house. If they all open easily, then you’re likely good. However, if there’s any resistance then this could be an indicator that there’s an excessive amount of snow compressing the opening. This isn’t a sure sign that your roof is at risk for collapsing, but it is a sign that you should investigate the situation further.

When is it Necessary to Remove Snow to Prevent Ice Dams?

In most cases, you have a much higher risk of experiencing ice dams than roof collapses. There doesn’t always have to be a lot of snow for ice dams to form on your roof. A general rule of thumb is to remove snow from your roof if it exceeds six inches. You should never use a shovel to remove snow because it can be very dangerous. If you feel that you must remove the snow yourself, use a roof rake and get as much snow off the overhangs of your roof as you can.

Contact Information:

We provide water damage restoration for roofs and home interior, no matter the size of the damage. If you have any questions about water damage, please do not hesitate to call the SERVPRO of Bend office at 541-385-7044. We service all of Central Oregon, including Bend, Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver, Madras, La Pine, Prineville and all of the surrounding areas.