Roof Snow Removal in Montreal

When to have a roof cleared

The Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) points out that roofs are built to carry winter snow loads, but the weight can create unusual stress. The RBQ adds that alternating rain and snow increases the density of the snow and makes it heavier. A Montreal winter often brings a storm, a thaw, rain in January, then a freeze that locks it all in place.

Snow removal makes sense in these situations:

• the house shows a sign of overload, like an inside door that starts to rub
• wind has drifted snow against a higher wall, a parapet or a chimney
• rain is forecast on a roof that is already loaded
• the drain on a flat roof is buried and meltwater has no way out
• ice is building up at the roof edge above an entrance, a sidewalk or a car
• a carport, balcony, shed or garage is sagging under the snow

A roof cleared carelessly often ends up needing roof repair in the spring. The method matters as much as the timing.

Signs you cannot ignore

The RBQ names four signs of overload to watch for inside the building:

• cracks in interior walls
• interior doors that stick or rub
• unusual creaking
• ceilings that sag or warp

The RBQ recommends clearing the roof when such signs appear, whatever the amount of snow on it.

If you see one of these signs, leave the room or stay away from the area, and get the other occupants out. Have the roof cleared, then have the structure checked by a structural engineer. If the ceiling is moving or the danger seems immediate, leave the building and call 911.

Why not to go up yourself

The RBQ calls roof snow removal a risky operation. It considers it wise to hand the job to specialized companies.

Do not go up on your roof, even a flat one with the hatch close at hand. The surface is slippery, the edge is hidden by snow, and a buried skylight can no longer be seen. A metal shovel or a pick can also pierce a membrane or tear off shingles.

The only snow removal you can do is the one the RBQ describes. Use a roof rake with a telescopic handle to work from the ground and avoid any risk of falling. This works for the lower edge of a bungalow roof, away from power lines, not for the roof of a triplex.

How we clear snow without damaging the roofing

1. We look from the ground first. We note where the snow will fall, where power lines run, and where the entrances, lane and cars are.
2. We set up a safety perimeter where the snow will be thrown.
3. We locate what is hidden under the snow, including the drain, vents, skylights and ducts.
4. We shovel with plastic shovels. We never use a metal shovel, pick or axe on roofing.
5. We leave a thin layer of snow. The goal is to lighten the roof, not to scrape the membrane or shingles.
6. We remove the snow gradually and evenly, without building big piles elsewhere on the roof.
7. We clear the path for water, around the drain on a flat roof and along the lower edges and gutters on a sloped roof.
8. We tell you what we saw. Loose flashing or missing shingles get noticed during the work.

The snow we bring down stays on your property. Tell us where to put it if the yard is small.

Ice and icicles

Ice sticks to the roofing, and hitting it means hitting the roof. We do not break ice stuck to a membrane or shingles with tools. That ice is melted, with steam for example.

The RBQ stresses that ice and icicles on the edge of a building are a danger to pedestrians and cars. If icicles hang over a walkway, close off the area on the ground and warn your tenants until they are removed. Do not try to knock them down, whether from the ground with a pole or from a ladder, balcony or window.

Flat roofs, sloped roofs and the rest

On a flat-roofed plex, snow stays where the wind pushes it, along the parapets, and the drain must stay clear. On a sloped bungalow roof, snow can slide, and the edges need the most attention.

The RBQ also calls for caution with temporary carports, and reminds owners to clear emergency exits, balconies, sheds and garages. Tell us if you have any, and our quote can include them.

What to tell us in your request

• the type of building and the number of storeys
• the roof shape, flat or sloped, and its roofing if you know it
• what worries you, such as built-up snow, ice at the edge, icicles, a leak or a sign inside
• access by the street, the lane, a hatch or an inside stairway
• where the snow can be thrown, and what is below
• what is on the roof, such as skylights, a deck, a heat pump or an antenna
• other surfaces to clear, like a balcony, carport or shed

Keep photos taken from the ground or a window for the visit. Do not climb anywhere to take them.

What affects the price

• the roof's surface and shape
• the building's height and how hard it is to get up
• the amount of snow and its state, whether light, packed, wet or frozen
• ice to melt, which is slower than shovelling
• the number of obstacles on the roof
• where the snow can fall and the protection needed on the ground
• extra surfaces added to the visit

Frequently asked questions