Entretien extérieur de bâtiment
PMG
Maintenance
Exterior Building Maintenance
PMG Maintenance - Roof snow removal
PMG Maintenance
Roof snow removal
Please note that using the contact form helps us provide you with a fast and efficient service.
We usually respond within minutes.
Weather forecast for the Ottawa-Gatineau area
When should snow be removed from your roof?
The roof should be cleared when there is a large amount of snow (see below) or some accumulated snow and a forecast of rain.
Depending on conditions, snow density can vary and its load on the roof be lesser or greater. For example, settled snow is heavier than freshly fallen snow and its weight will be even more if some of it turns to ice.
The building code stipulates the roof must be built to support a load of 20 lb/ft2 (this varies slightly depending on each province).
The weight of an ice layer one inch thick equals 4 inches of settled snow or 12 inches of fresh snow.
48 inches of fresh snow= 20 lb/ft2
16 inches of settled snow= 20 lb/ft2
4 inches of ice = 20 lb/ft2
So for example the combined weight of 18 inches of settled snow and 2 inches of ice exceeds the 20 lb/ft2 limit.
Since it’s difficult, maybe even impossible, to know the conditions of each successive layer of snow and ice existing on your roof it is advised that snow be removed from the roof when it is close to 24 inches deep.
Here are some obvious signs that the snow and ice must be removed from your roof without delay:
The doors inside the house don’t open or close easily.
You hear some creaking noises.
Your ceiling seems to bulge under the weight.
Some cracks appear on the walls.
What could happen if snow and ice is not removed from the roof?
A roof could collapse under the weight of excessive snow and ice.
If an ice dam is installed, this presents risks of water leaks in your roof when snow melts or after a rain (see ice dam removal).
That’s why large snow loads must be dealt with in a timely fashion.
This task should be trusted to professionals having adequate experience, equipment and liability insurance which specifies ''roof snow removal'' in its contract.
How will we proceed?
We are equipped to work safely at various heights;
We close off the perimeter as needed to avoid accidents;
We use plastic shovels and we make sure to leave 1 to 4 inches of snow on the roof to avoid damaging it;
We carefully clear around roof vents and plumbing vents;
We also make sure any water has a way of draining;
While we work, we make sure to clear all decks, stairs and walkways from snow;
For your convenience, we accept the following payment options:
- Check to PMG Maintenance
- Cash
- E-transfer payable to info@pmgmaintenance.com
- PayPal (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discovery)
PMG Maintenance owns a 2,000,000$ liability insurance policy.
All workers are covered by worker's compensation CNESST.
Residential and commercial.
For more info:
Regie du batiment Quebec: Removing snow and de-icing
