When is the Right Time to Remove Snow from My Roof?

Before we talk about removing snow from your roof, let’s first establish if it’s even a necessary task to worry about in the first place. The short answer? Yes, there are circumstances when you should consider removing snow from your roof. Now for the long answer, which is a bit more complicated. 

Year after year, many of us sit idly by while our roof collects snow. Let’s be clear, in a lot of cases, snow on the roof is a good sign as it means your roof is doing its job! Did you know there are a few benefits that accompany some mild snow buildup on the roof? For instance, a light layer of snow has insulative properties, helping to potentially lower your heating bill. While we tend to regard snow that sticks around as pesky, if you have a small layer on your roof that’s outlasting all of your neighbors, there’s a good chance your insulation is in good shape.

It is a good idea to keep an eye on your roof throughout the winter season, because too much of a good thing can quickly turn insidious, yielding potential lasting consequences. When deciding whether or not the snow needs to be removed, you’ll want to assess just how much of it there is. We refer to this as the snow load. While there are technically formulas and equations that you can use by plugging in certain data and measurements, let’s face it, unless you’re a professional, it’s usually not safe to try and gather a bunch of data while walking around on a snowy, icy, roof.  

Some definite telltale signs can help you decide whether or not removal is necessary and don’t require any dangerous actions or exertions.