A foot of fluffy snow on a roof is rarely a problem. A foot of wet, packed snow with ice underneath can be, and the most common way people get hurt is by climbing up to clear it.
Remove roof snow from the ground with a telescoping roof rake such as the Snow Joe RJ205M 21 ft roof rake. Start at the eaves, pull small sections down, and leave about 2 inches of snow on the roof so the rake doesn’t damage the shingles, as FEMA advises. Stay well clear of power lines and falling snow. Don’t climb onto a snowy roof, don’t use a torch or metal tools, and call a pro for two-story roofs, flat roofs and heavy ice. If you notice sagging, cracking sounds or interior doors that suddenly stick, get everyone out and call a professional.
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When roof snow needs removing
Most roofs are built for their area’s snow. Residential design loads vary widely; local codes in Massachusetts, for example, range from 35 to 65 pounds per square foot (psf). What matters is how much the snow weighs, not just how deep it is.
| Type | Weight | Roughly 20 psf is about |
|---|---|---|
| Light, dry fresh snow | About 3 psf per foot of depth (FEMA) | 4 ft |
| Wet, heavy snow | Up to about 21 psf per foot (FEMA) | 1 ft |
| Old, packed snow | About 5 psf per 3 to 5 in | 20 in |
| Ice | About 5 psf per inch; 57 psf per foot (FEMA) | 4 in |
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) suggests considering snow removal once snow and ice exceed about 20 to 25 psf. Watch for drifts against walls and chimneys and for snow that slides from an upper roof onto a lower one; FEMA notes both create concentrated loads.
Warning signs of an overloaded roof
- Sagging ceilings or a visibly sagging roofline
- Popping, cracking or creaking sounds
- Interior doors or windows that suddenly stick
- New cracks in drywall or plaster near door frames
- Bowing rafters or trusses visible in the attic
- Severe leaks
FEMA advises evacuating promptly if you see these signs and having a qualified professional assess the structure. Don’t go up to clear the snow yourself at that point.
How to rake snow off a roof safely
- Check for power lines before you extend the pole. Aluminum poles conduct electricity, and Massachusetts safety guidance says to keep ladders and workers at least 10 ft from power lines. If lines are near the roof edge, don’t rake that area; call a pro.
- Gear up: boots with good traction, gloves, goggles and a helmet or hard hat. Keep kids and pets inside.
- Stand back from the eaves, outside the zone where snow will land.
- Start at the edge and pull down small bites, working up the roof a foot or so at a time. Big pulls bring down heavy slabs.
- Pull, don’t push down. Keep the blade parallel to the roof and let gravity do the work.
- Leave about 2 inches of snow. Scraping to the shingles tears them and can cause leaks.
- Work around skylights, vents and chimneys rather than over them, and go easy near gutters and flashing.
- Don’t overreach. A fully extended pole flexes and gets hard to control.
Best tools for removing roof snow
Snow Joe RJ205M 21 ft roof rake
The Snow Joe RJ205M 21 ft roof rake has a Twist-n-Lock pole that adjusts from 6.2 to 21 ft and a 6 by 25 inch aluminum blade, and it weighs about 5.7 lb. It covers most single-story roofs from the ground. See our roof rakes guide for more options and blade types.
SnowPeeler 30 ft slide-style roof rake
Slide-style rakes such as the SnowPeeler 30 ft roof rake cut into the snow with a frame and let it slide down a plastic sheet to the ground, so you don’t pull every load toward yourself. They work best on fresh, dry snow on pitched roofs and struggle with heavy, wet snow, ice and flat roofs. A longer pole adds reach but is harder to control and more dangerous near power lines.
Snow pusher for flat roofs
Flat roofs can’t be raked from the ground, so snow has to be pushed off from on top. A plastic-edged Snowplow Original 24 in snow pusher moves snow without gouging the membrane. Shoveling a roof means working at height on a slippery surface, so leave anything above a low porch or garage roof to a professional with fall protection. OSHA’s rooftop snow removal hazard alert says falls cause most of the deaths and serious injuries in this work, including falls through skylights hidden by snow, and calls for fall protection and a check that the roof can carry the workers and equipment.
Ropes and snow-cutting cords
Some people throw a rope over a small snow-covered roof and pull from both ends to cut the snow loose. It can work on a low shed or porch roof if you stay on the ground, keep clear of the falling snow and keep the rope away from power lines. Never use metal wire, and never climb the roof to set it up.
Steaming ice dams
Thick ice dams are best removed by pros with low-pressure commercial steamers, which melt channels without damaging shingles. Don’t chip ice with hammers or picks, and don’t use a torch or open flame on a roof. Our guide to ice dams and gutters covers safe removal and prevention.
DIY roof rake
This video shows how to build a basic roof rake. A store-bought plastic-blade rake is usually safer and lighter.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Roof cleaning means working at height with chemicals on a slippery surface. See what professional roof cleaning costs in your area before you buy the gear. Free, no sign-up.
See local roof cleaning prices →Roof snow removal mistakes to avoid
- Climbing onto the roof. Falls from snowy roofs and ladders are the biggest risk. Never rely on a strip of snow at the edge to stop a fall.
- Using metal shovels, picks or chisels. They tear shingles and membranes.
- Scraping the roof bare. Leave a thin layer.
- Using a torch, rock salt or a pressure washer on ice.
- Dropping snow on exits, gas meters, vents or AC units. Plan where it lands.
- Working alone. Have someone watch the area below and call for help if needed.
- Standing under the eaves after a storm. Sliding snow and icicles can cause serious injuries.
How to reduce roof snow and ice problems
- Seal and insulate the attic and keep it ventilated, so the roof stays cold and snow doesn’t melt and refreeze into ice dams. The ice dam guide explains why.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear before winter so meltwater can drain. See our downspout guide.
- Rake after each big storm on low-slope roofs and over eaves, rather than letting several storms pile up.
- Install snow guards on metal roofs so snow releases gradually instead of sliding off in one slab onto people or lower roofs.
- Use heat cables only as a backup. They keep drainage paths open but don’t fix the heat loss that causes ice dams.
- Have a roofer check older or damaged roofs before winter, since weakened framing carries less load.
Roof snow removal FAQs
How much snow is too much for a roof?
It depends on the snow’s weight and your roof’s design load. As a rough guide, about 4 ft of fresh snow, 20 inches of packed snow or 4 inches of ice each weigh around 20 psf, the point where IBHS suggests considering removal.
Should I remove all the snow from my roof?
No. FEMA advises leaving at least 2 inches. Scraping to the surface damages shingles and can cause leaks.
Is it safe to shovel snow off my roof?
Not for most homeowners. Use a roof rake from the ground, and hire a pro with fall protection for flat roofs and anything you can’t reach.
Will a roof rake damage shingles?
It can if you scrape down to the shingles or push hard. Pull gently, keep the blade off the surface and leave a thin layer of snow. Rakes with rollers or plastic blades are gentler.
Related guides
- Best roof rakes for snow and leaves
- Do gutters cause ice dams?
- How to stabilize a ladder
- Best roof safety harnesses
- How to fix a roof leak
Sources: OSHA 3513 hazard alert on rooftop snow removal; Mass.gov, safety requirements for removing snow from rooftops; FEMA P-957 Snow Load Safety Guide; FEMA snow load safety fact sheet; DOE Building America Solution Center, managing snow loads; IBHS snow load graphic; Architect magazine on Massachusetts snow loads; Snow Joe RJ205M specifications; University of Minnesota, roof-snow behavior and ice-dam prevention.
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