Winter provides homeowners in the North with plenty to do. When we aren't shoveling our walkways and driveways, we're up shoveling our roofs. Here are some basic roof shoveling tips to keep you safe and your roof in working order.
- Hire a professional. Shoveling a roof is a thankless job best left to the experts. This time of year there are many skilled and dependable contractors looking for whatever kind of work they can get. If you have a plow guy, you might consider getting a roof guy. Personally, I charge $30/hr. and feel justified doing so due to the dangerous mixture of ice and altitude. I've heard some guys charge $50/hr. Hire us and be glad you did. Don't feel you're missing out on the fun, there isn't a whole lot to be had.
- If you're stubborn or on a budget and you come to realize the roof needs shoveling, do it as soon as you can. The weight of that nice fluffy snow we get when it's cold is infinitesimal compared to snow bogged down with rain. Usually you will have plenty of warning, watch the forecasts and make sure you get to it before it rains or the weather warms up dramatically. Snow that becomes saturated is very heavy and sticky. Here's one more reason to get to it early; nice, fluffy snow doesn't rip through your shrubbery the way a big chunk of ice can.
- For the nice fluffy snow, one of those plow like shovels works best. Work your way across the roof first, all the while getting a feeling for how your boots are going to react to whatever roofing material lies beneath. Thin coats of ice on shingles is difficult to manage with any kind of pitch. Metal roofing is always slippery and should be taken very seriously. I leave a layer of snow on the roof for traction and so I don't scratch or ding the roof. Once a good amount of snow on the down hill side is off the roof, you can effectively shovel down the roof pushing and shoveling as you go. Momentum is the key here and using gravity to your advantage is a must. Some roofs are steep enough where you can “ski” down with the shovel in front. This is where the fun is.
- Depending on the height of the roof or what's down below, you should consider roping up. Some roofs get very slippery and you'll need a rope just to get back to the top. I recommend a climbing rope and a harness and the know how to use both. If these items are beyond your budget, go to the hardware store and find the next best thing. Do not tie a slip knot around your waist, learn how to tie a bowline. Finding anchors can be tough. The best tip I have is to place a ladder horizontally in the snow on the opposite side of the roof . The length of the ladder gives you however many feet of anchor to clip onto while providing a grip on the roof you can feel somewhat comfortable with. Make sure you give yourself only enough scope to reach your shovel to the edge. The idea of the rope is to keep you on the roof, not dangling in midair. That would be both painful and embarrassing.
You'll sleep easier once you get all that weight off of your roof. It is not uncommon for older outbuildings especially to succumb to heavy snow loads, many were built with economy in mind. The more snow you can get off the roof of your home the less chance you'll have ice dams build which will save you some headaches and maintenance down the road.
