Roof snow removal: Preventing damage and protecting your house this winter

In Canada, winter weather can mean real risks for your home’s roof. Snow can be bad enough on its own, causing issues ranging from snow and ice accumulation and ice dams to structural overload and water infiltration. But snow plus freezing rain can equal major danger, since ice is so heavy. By keeping an eye out for all these potential dangers, you may be able to get ahead of the situation. This article will give you some handy tips for how to help protect your property this winter—which signs to watch out for, what to do and how your home insurance can help.

Removing built-up snow from your roof is a smart precaution to take in the winter months. Between structural overload, ice dams and roof leaks that can lead to water damage, snow and ice accumulation can pose a real danger to occupants and passers-by.

Did you know that wet snow, which contains a lot of water, can weigh a lot more than dry, fresh snow, which is made up of snowflakes and air? As winter drags on, the weight of snow adds up combined with periods of thaw and rain, putting a considerable amount of pressure on your roof. That’s even more true of ice, which can weigh almost twice as much as wet snow for the same volume! And if the pressure exceeds your roof’s load limits, in other words, the weight it can bear, then the structure of your home could be compromised. That’s called structural overload.

In cold weather, heat can get trapped under sloped or pitched roofs and melt the piled-up snow, which runs down to the eaves and refreezes into an ice dam. When ice dams cover the roof overhang, water can build up and get under shingle roofs. If your eavestroughs freeze, things can get even worse. Preventing ice dams can stop roof leaks, which can in turn stop water damage. One way to do this is by installing heat cables, which put out low levels of heat to de-ice your roof so that melted snow can drain off your roof properly. For more ideas like this, check out our guide to protecting your home from water damage.

Too much snow on your roof can compromise its structural integrity, leading to structural damage. This can look like doors jamming, new or unusual cracks appearing in the ceiling or walls, or a sagging ceiling. If you notice any of these tell-tale signs, you’ll want to act fast and contact snow removal specialists, given the serious risk of roof collapse.

Even after clearing the roof, there may still be structural damage. If so, you should contact a professional for an assessment. Keep in mind that flat roofs run a higher risk of structural overload than pitched roofs, because they don’t have sloped sides for snow to naturally slide down.

Here are some good rules of thumb:

Clear your roof once there’s 60 cm (2 ft.) of snow build-up or 5 cm (2 in.) of ice build-up. With two feet of snow or two inches of ice, your roof may be at its maximum load limit. It’s easy enough with sloped roofs to see how thick the snow or ice is, but for flat roofs, it can be hard to see how much snow there is from the ground. In either case, consider checking your roof regularly, at least after every snowstorm. If you have other buildings on your property, or another property like a cottage, you’ll want to get in the habit of checking their roofs too.

If you see any of the following signs, you should immediately contact snow removal specialists and avoid the impacted area.

• Doors or windows that are hard to open or close
• Cracks on the ceiling or walls that are new or getting larger
• Unusual creaking sounds that come from the building itself
• Roof or ceiling that is visibly sagging
• Beams or framework in the attic that is visibly warping

• Water marks or rings on the ceiling or walls
• Mould or a musty smell
• Paint bubbling or wallpaper peeling
• Water running down indoor walls during a thaw

Want to do the snow clearing yourself? Keep these key guidelines in mind:

Snow and ice removal involves multiple risks—proximity to power lines, bad falls, damage to roofing—so you should proceed with care. In winter, it’s easy to slip when climbing a ladder or moving around on a roof, not to mention shocking yourself by accidentally grabbing onto a power line. Removing snow from your roof isn’t just a safety concern. One wrong move can damage shingles or other roofing materials, leading to costly repairs. If you decide to remove snow yourself, be careful and work from the ground, using a telescopic roof rake.

Telescopic roof rakes are the best tool for clearing sloped roofs. Stand at a safe distance from the roof and work in small sections, raking the snow down the roof without pushing it. This way, you can avoid big piles of snow falling on top of you. There’s no need to scrape off all the snow, as this could damage your roof, so leave a little bit behind. Flat roofs, however, face more serious risks, so it’s a good idea to call on roof snow removal services.

When clearing your roof, you should take a few simple precautions to reduce your risk of accident:

• Clearly mark the area where the raked-off snow will fall, so no one stands there during snow removal
• Work with a partner, whenever possible
• Keep an eye out for icicles or sheets of ice, which may fall suddenly

In terms of prevention, heat cables can put a stop to ice dams, meaning you’ll be able to avoid more complicated snow removal in the long run.

With pitched roofs, some or all of the snow can slide right off on its own. But it’s important to keep an eye on areas where snow and ice can accumulate (roof valleys, skylights, places where the roof meets an addition) and slippery spots that can form on metal roofs.

With flat roofs, on the other hand, snow doesn’t slide off naturally. That means you should make clearing snow a priority and do it frequently, without damaging the roof in the process. You should also be sure to protect fragile structures like skylights and solar panels, which should never be raked or walked on directly.

If clearing the snow yourself is too risky or complicated, you can call on professional rooftop snow removers.

Snow removal specialists can be a big help when there’s more than the recommended 60 cm of snow or 5 cm of ice. You’ll also want to call them if you spot warning signs of structural damage or if you can’t reach the roof from the ground due to your home’s height or layout. Other good reasons to call in the pros include if you have solar panels or other delicate equipment on your roof, experience an emergency like an active leak or structural cracks, or own mixed-use buildings.

When you choose to bring in the pros, you’re choosing safety and expertise. Professional roofers and snow removal specialists have the right tools to do the job safely (harnesses and other fall protection equipment) and the right know-how to deal with different types of roofs without damaging them. Snow removal specialists also know the ins and outs of your local building code and snow load limits, which are intended to minimize the structural risks for your property. And last but not least, the pros typically have liability coverage in case anything goes wrong.

And don’t forget about your above-ground pool or hot tub. Keeping snow from building up can help lower the risk of damage from wintry weather.

Above ground pools are built to handle internal pressure from water when in use. But they’re not built to withstand pressure from snow and ice in the winter. Spring can make things even worse, when there are numerous freeze-thaw cycles. Snow melts and expands as it refreezes. which can put more stress on the pool and damage it. That’s why it’s essential to regularly check your pool, its cover and structural supports and remove any built-up snow, especially in spring.

Whether it’s in use year-round or being recommissioned, your hot tub still needs maintenance in winter. That’s because wintry weather poses a risk—even though the water is heated. As snow builds up on the cover, it can damage both the cover and the hot tub itself. For winterized hot tubs, you’ll want to keep an eye on water levels and temperature, as well as on the hot tub components (pumps, filters, control panel). Don’t forget to clean your filters in the fall to keep everything running smoothly.

Here are some handy tips for pools and hot tubs:

• Inspect your pool or hot tub after heavy snowfall
• Remove snow from your pool or hot tub using a flexible broom (not a metal scraper)
• Check and see that insulated covers and tarps are watertight
• Look for any cracks or damage
• Make sure there’s good air circulation around the components to prevent freezing

As a homeowner, you most likely have home insurance—but that doesn’t always mean you have coverage for snow damage. Depending on where you live, it’s a good idea to look into your options for protecting your property from wintertime risks.

While regular snow and ice removal is a good preventive measure, it’s no guarantee. Even if you take every precaution recommended, snow or ice could still cause damage to your property. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right coverage.

Peace of mind is having the right protection for your home. If your home insurance is with us, you can add on coverage to help protect your home from snow- and ice-related damage, like our ice, snow or sleet coverage. Take a minute to check your current coverage with our online services.

There’s not much room for winging it in Canada’s winter months. A few simple steps can help you avoid major repairs. Monitor how much snow accumulates on your roof, keep an eye out for warning signs and remove snow at the right time, whether you do it yourself or with the help of a professional.

Prevention is your best friend. But if disaster strikes, the right home insurance coverage can make a world of difference.

Want to explore the coverage options for your property? Check out our home insurance.

Certain conditions, exclusions and limitations may apply.

The terms and conditions of the coverages described are set out in the insurance policy, which always prevails.

These tips are provided for information and prevention purposes only. They are general in nature, and Desjardins Insurance cannot be held liable for them. We recommend using caution and consulting a certified insurance agent for comprehensive, tailored advice.