Although snow is an infrequent and seldom seen visitor to Las Vegas, its occasional descent does call for a few basic precepts of snow safety and snow removal for local residents, particularly when the local weather pattern involves not too warm, but also not too cold, for the snow to simply melt away in sunshine. Flatter roofs and those with lower pitch, like the seemingly infinite number of rooftop terraces, present special problems not seen with the more common steeper-pitched roofs typical of northern areas. If not understood properly, snow removal can place roofs at greater risk for future damage. Roof shoveling is the most basic of the snow-removal techniques, but it's often poorly understood. Yes, it's the safer way to remove snow from the roof, but here, again, it's necessary to know what's really required to ensure that the job gets done without placing the roof at risk for future snowmelt problems.
To choose effectively among the various roof snow-removal methods available in Las Vegas, you must first understand your roof's construction and its material makeup. These factors are important because different roofing materials can handle snow load differently. For instance, tile roofs can be more susceptible to damage and even collapse if snow is allowed to pile up and then not cleared properly. Plan to use only non-invasive methods like roof rakes that just skim the surface of the snow to prevent unnecessary damage to the roofing material. If you go the route of hiring professionals, make sure they are a snow-removal service taught and led by a professional who knows how to deconstruct roofing systems. On this event-related podcast, the installer of a panel atop a pitched roof gives a personal account of his method and means of removing accumulated snow from the roof's surface.
Taking into account the local climate and building design, it might also be prudent to invest in preventive measures. Installing cable or using a special coating that carries low voltage can greatly reduce the potential for a problem to develop. Cable is installed in the roof's valleys and along the leading edges of the roof. That puts it where runoff is most likely to happen. Don't even think about it until you get a full inspection of your roof. Any vulnerabilities or potential problem areas that snow might exacerbate need to be addressed. Once you've done that, then you can think about installing life-prolonging measures like heating cable in your roof. Engaging with experts familiar with both local weather and local weather patterns and rooftop architecture can be invaluable.
