Use a snow rake to keep your roof clear.
It's much safer to stand on the ground and use a snow rake than to stand on a ladder. Snow rakes cost $30-40 at most hardware stores.
Fluffy, but not always light
Snow can put significant weight on your roof
A cubic foot of light snow weights about 20 lbs. However, a densely packed mixture of ice and snow can weigh as much as 60 lbs. Even an average amount of snow accumulated on a dairy barn roof can easily weigh 200 tons or more!
How do you know if your building may collapse?
Check whether one or more of the below apply and take preventive action:
Buildings most susceptible to collapse
- any building older than 50 years
- a building with a low-pitched roof
- L- or T-shaped buildings
- low buildings attached to higher ones
- buildings without sound concrete foundations
Dangerous weather conditions
- heavy, wet snow
- high winds after any snowfall
- frequent freezing and thawing
- heavy snowfall followed by rain
- any time road drifting occurs