There are many benefits to having a metal roof on your home or business — but sometimes it can be harder to know how to keep up with your roof’s maintenance when you don’t have a traditional asphalt surface.

However, if you are dealing with snowfall on your metal roof, you will want to determine how to deal with its removal sooner rather than later, as the last thing that you want to deal with is snow damage on your roof’s metal surface. That being said, you also don’t want to go about removing snow in a way that could possibly harm your roof’s surface, as this could do more harm than good.

In this article, we will go over the considerations that you should have when removing snow from a metal roof.

How Do You Know When to Remove Snow From a Metal Roof?

In Vancouver, snow is rare, even in the winter season. However, if you live higher in the mountains or on the slopes, you could expect snowfall to happen a few times a year. One important factor to consider is your roof’s weight capacity. Modern metal roofs are built to meet updated building code requirements, but extreme snowfall events can still create structural strain.

Situations Where Snow Removal May Be Recommended:

• Excessive snowfall from a major winter storm
• Ice buildup forming along edges (ice damming)
• Visible sagging or structural stress
• Flat or low-slope metal roofs with heavy accumulation
• Snow depth exceeding safe load limits

General Snow Load Reference (Residential)

Wet snow can weigh substantially more than dry snow, increasing the stress placed on your roof. Another factor to consider is the slope of your roof. Sloped metal roofs typically shed snow more efficiently, while flat or low-slope roofs may accumulate heavier loads.

How Do You Remove Snow From a Metal Roof?

While it is possible to take on the job of removing snow from a metal roof yourself, it is always better to entrust the help of the professionals. Not only can snow removal be dangerous, especially on slippery metal roofs, but non-professional snow removers also risk performing a substandard job and having to return to the roof a second time.

For starters, a homeowner should never step onto their metal roof with a shovel to remove snow. The surface of the roof can be incredibly slippery, and the risk of falling greatly outweighs the benefit of having your roof cleared. The best way to clear a roof on an amateur basis is to use a specialized tool shaped like a long pole with a 90-degree angle to push snow off the roof. But be careful not to fill up or damage your gutters. 

Professional snow removal professionals will know how to safely climb onto your roof and remove the amount of snow that is necessary using a plastic (never metal) shovel. They will also know how to avoid loading up weaker areas of the roof with snow, which could otherwise cause a collapse. A roofing professional will also know which specific types of safety equipment, like harnesses, to bring with them in order to safely scale the top of your building. In some cases, they may even ask for a copy of your home or business’s blueprints so that they can have a greater understanding of the layout of a roof.

Roofing Experts in Burnaby

If you are looking for roof contractors in Burnaby, Canuck Roofing is here for you. We believe that the health of a home or a business depends on the health of its roof — that’s why we specialize in roofing repairs, roofing installations, and general roofing considerations. If you are seeking help with your metal roof in Burnaby, please get in touch with us today!