There are several different ways to get the snow off your roof. The best methods may depend on the roof that’s been covered. We’ll briefly explore a few considerations you may want to think about as you go about protecting property integrity through the removal of snow on your roof. These considerations include:
The Rope Or Wire Method Of Removal
When It’s Time To Rake Off That Snow
High Roofing And Snow Removal
Some Snow Removal “Hacks”
The Rope Or Wire Method Of Removal
Some roofs are quite simple to manage. To remove snow from your roof with a rope, you pass the string under the snow from the high point to the low point and keep the rope taught on either end. This removes the snow’s grip, and so it slides right off.
There’s also a good argument here regarding how to remove snow from the roof with wire. The basic idea is, some flexible, skinny cable is used to make it, so the snow slides off. But you aren’t going to be able to do that very well if the roof is flat as a pancake, and snow can accumulate in this situation.
When It’s Time To Rake Off That Snow
While snow isn’t as heavy as water at the same volume, it is still water, and the weight distributed through the process of freezing remains. Also, the concentration of weight distribution in a single area compounds as snow melts. This will gradually erode the structural integrity of any roof. It’s best for homes in colder climates when roofing has some angle so water can slide off.
When you’re in a cold climate, and the roof isn’t canted at any angle, then you may need to invest in a snow rake for your roof. But using one will require climbing atop that roof to get the job done. You might end up incidentally causing more damage than the snow itself if you’re not sure what you’re doing up there.
The potential for incidental damage is exceptionally high if you’re in a position where you need to remove snow from a high roof. The climb up with equipment, the climb down with gear, wind, slips, falls–such accidents abound. It could well be worth your while to outsource the job rather than contend with the fallout of incidental mistakes. That said, if you have no choice but to do it yourself, try and wear some protective gear, like a lanyard and a climbing rope secured to a location that can bear your weight.
Some Snow Removal “Hacks”
Regardless of the house you have, there are a few roof snow removal hacks that can save you a lot of time and aggravation. The rope/wire idea was one, though it can be complicated to get the hang of. Another option, if your roof won’t be damaged owing to its composition, might be throwing a little melting salt up there to weaken the snow.
This probably won’t work as well as hiring a roof snow removal service, using a rope, or raking the snow off yourself. But sometimes, all you need is a little meltwater. The snow slides right off on its own, using the liquid as a lubricating membrane.
If you get a few inches of snow, then the next day, it’s forty degrees out. You can expedite the melting process with a hose, but don’t do this if there are any areas on the roof where water may pool up and become stagnant. Also, if things are about to get cold again soon, this could compound the problem.
Another hack may be keeping snow from accumulating on your roof in the first place. Certain materials have a hydrophobic quality that even freezing water has trouble adhering to. That’s not feasible for all roofs, but treating yours with such compounds can make it, so the snow never stays even if you get a substantial cold spell. Still, freezing does change the specific physical properties of water.
Assuring Your Roof And House Are Safe From Weather’s Bite
Generally, snow falling off your roof isn’t going to cause much damage, though it will depend on how much snow falls off, where it lands, and what the climate is like in such a situation. If you’re pushing snow on your roof off with a snow rake, be sure nobody is where the snow falls to avoid accidental injury. It can be better to work with a professional roofing agency for complicated removal. Still, between snow rakes, wires, hydrophobic compounds, melt strategies, and rope methods, there are options you can personally explore.
