Question 1

If the Snow Buildup is Only at the Bottom Edge of my Roof, do I Still Need to Remove it?

Accepted Answer

Yes you should because if there is a thaw and there is nowhere for the water to flow, the end result is leaks and water back-ups into your home. There is also the risk of large chunks of ice that can fall off the roof onto a car or person. Preventing the snow from building up prevents ice dams.

Question 2

Can't I Just Remove the Snow From My Roof Myself?

Accepted Answer

It may seem tempting to try this as a nice winter DIY project, but do not try and remove snow yourself. Going up on your roof is dangerous, especially when you add slippery snow and ice. You can very easily fall and seriously injure yourself on top of damaging your roof. Alternatively, extendable snow brushes can only reach so far and don’t work well when trying to remove snow from the middle (and often highest) points of your roof from the ground. It’s best to leave this type of job to a professional who has the proper tools and experience to do this work safely.

Question 3

Can I Use Rock Salt to Remove Ice From My Roof?

Accepted Answer

No. Using rock salt on your roof is a very easy way to damage your roof and drainage system. Rock salt is highly corrosive and will damage your shingles, the wood underneath, siding, gutters and downspouts. The poisonous runoff will also kill any plants it comes in contact with and ruin the soil making it nearly impossible for plants to regrow in those spots. We use non-toxic products to remove ice from rooftops.

Question 4

When Should I Consider Removing Snow From My Roof?

Accepted Answer

It depends on what you are concerned about. If you want to prevent ice dams, then you should look to clear your roof after every 6” or 15cm of snow. If you are mainly concerned about your roof collapsing then you should have it done after every 12” or 30cm of snow. If you have an older roof haven’t had maintenance work done in recent years, you should consider removing snow sooner to be safe.

Question 5

Should I Hire You for Snow Removal, Heat Trace Cables or Updating the Insulation in my Attic?

Accepted Answer

Like all home upgrade questions, there is no one right answer for every house. If it has been 10 ore more years since your insulation was last touched, then consider upgrading your insulation as a first step as it will not only help prevent potentially dangerous icicle formation, but will save money on heating costs. If you are planning to replace your roof in the coming year or two, perhaps you’d prefer to hold off on heat trace cables and have us remove snow for now. Some housing styles will likely always suffer from ice damming and might also benefit from heat trace cables. Even with these cables, it is a good idea to remove snow from the edges of the roof on a regular basis – it makes the job of the heat cable easier!

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