House is almost 20 years old. How deep would you let the snow get before you clear the roof?

 

It should be strong enough to handle any load.

 

Snow over the garage where you keep your 911.... I'd be up there right now! Rest of the house will likely be fine

 

Depends on the age of your roof and any structural issues associated with the house. Not sure where you live and how much snow you've gotten already but clearing snow from the roof is a risky job so be careful if you decide to do it.

 

Im north of Barrie and have at least 3 feel of compressed snow up there.

 

Anyone else in your neighbourhood is showelling the snow of their roofs?

 

Adrian Jay probably is, but before he eats any poutine.

 

With that much snow I'd want it off cuz if it starts raining it won't be pretty as the weight can triple real quick.

 

+1. im going to assume that the homes would account for the cdn weather

 

Actually the age of your house is a good thing and I would not worry one bit. Now if you lived a new mattamy home like I do I would worry, the new house are framed like garbage. My roof only has 2x4's lying flat with roof nailed to it then internal 2x4 frame work.

But Jim has a good point a serious ice storm or heavy rain could add some serious weight.

If you do shovel get a pool skimmer pole that can extend far and attach a flat blade to it and gently pull the snow down and off your roof. I bet if you start at the edge and loosen it the snow will slide off like an avalanche.

 

You don't say whether it's a truss roof or rafters, on 12", 16", or 24" centres, or what the roof pitch is, or whether it's steel, shingles, or something else. If none of these key facts have been considered in your decision, you're short on data and you need to clear it before we get warm weather and rain. Start shovelling it off tomorrow.

Canadian Tire (and others) sell roof rakes.
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/outdoo...t#.UunHmmRdXhw

 

When was the last time you heard of a roof caving in?

Nowhere near as many times as you hear about someone falling off their roof because they thought they should clean off the snow.

The only time I would do it is if the snow was melting and creating icicles that bothered me because the gutters were frozen.

Have you ever seen what a shovel does to your shingles?

 

^^This. Heard too many stories of fractured wrists and legs from people falling off their roofs trying to clear snow. If you must, get a roof rake and clear as much as you can that way.

 

Roof rake it is.....
Thx guys.

 

Addendum to the original question, what if it's a flat roof over a garage? it's probably got about a foot of compacted snow and ice on it. It's not particularly difficult to walk out onto the garage from the 2nd floor and clean it off, just wondering if it's required. House is also about 25 years old and roof shingles were recently redone.