In Henderson, we can get some fairly solid snow, making it imperative to maintain (and efficiently remove snow from) our roofs so that they and our homes maintain their structural integrity. The kinds of roofs we have, the materials they're made from, their pitches, and the types of accumulations we get all dictate how we might need to address any serious snow removal if conditions demand it. We must also reckon with the fact that not all roofs are created equal, and those of us with certain configurations might need to attend to more serious removals or do so with more regularity. It is very important to have a plan in place for removing snow from your roof if you live in an area that receives a lot of snow. Snow can pack down and become very heavy, especially when mixed with rain. A roof is designed to shed water, and proper drainage is essential to avoid leaks and the kind of rot that can compromise even a well-built wooden structure. Roofs are unlikely to fail in any great number, but when they do, the kind of snow buildup seen in D.C. in February 2010 is likely a contributing factor.
To ensure safe and effective snow removal, various roof types may require different techniques. For asphalt shingles, a common roofing material in Henderson, a roof rake is a reasonable choice. With a roof rake, you can clear snow from your roof while keeping your feet safely on the ground. Some more advanced roof rakes come with telescoping handles, which allow the user to reach higher onto the roof without needing to climb onto it, thus helping to minimize the risk of doing damage to the roof in the process of keeping it snow-free. For removal from a metal roof, you would want to use a tool that is just as safe for the metal as the roof rake is for the shingles. The roof itself is steep and slippery when covered with snow and very probably "wet and heavy." Metal roofs shed snow and ice better than most others, but when they do, the snow and ice tend to fall straight down onto whatever is below.
It is also very important to know when to take snow off your roof so that you can avert any potential structural issues. The best snow-removal strategy is to clear the snow before it builds up to a depth that definitely won't go away without your help. The NWS has a very good graphic that shows how deep snow may likely be at various stages of a winter storm. You can use that information to know when to take action and when to not worry about that lovely white insulating blanket. If you do use that graphic as a guide (something I highly suggest), make sure you take its advice and clear any snow that reaches 12 inches in depth or is otherwise especially heavy. Roof snow removal is a good first line of defense against the three main winter roof hazards.
