Four risks
Facing snow falling off the roof above the entrance, the urge to climb up is strong. Here is what waits up there.
Falling. A sloped roof covered in snow offers no grip. On a flat roof, snow hides the edge and low parapets. A ladder is no safer. Its feet rest on packed snow or ice, and its top leans on a slippery edge.
Hidden ice. Under the snow, there is often a layer of ice left by a thaw. That ice cannot be seen until you step on it. Snow also hides what cannot bear weight, like a skylight.
Power lines. A building's electrical service often arrives near the roof edge. Any tool or handle that gets close to it, whatever it is made of, puts the person holding it in danger.
Damaged roofing. A metal shovel, a pick or an axe cuts into whatever it hits. On a flat roof, a single blow can puncture the membrane. On a sloped roof, a shovel can strip granules and lift shingles made brittle by the cold. The damage often shows up at the thaw, as a stain on the ceiling.
The only method the RBQ describes, from the ground
For anyone who wants to clear snow themselves, the RBQ names a single tool. It is a roof rake with a telescopic handle, used to work from the ground and avoid any risk of falling.
The tool has limits, and they are simple.
- It reaches the bottom of a low roof. It does not reach the roof of a three-storey plex.
- The snow you pull lands where you stand. Keep your distance and keep others away.
- It stays away from power lines, without exception.
- It pulls snow. It does not break ice or knock down icicles.
If the roof rake is not enough, go no further.
When to write to us
Ask us for a quote in any of these situations.
- The roof is out of reach from the ground, or it is flat.
- There is ice or there are icicles at the roof edge.
- Snow hangs over an entrance, a sidewalk, a lane or a parking spot.
- The house shows a sign of overload, like an interior door that starts to stick or a ceiling that sags.
When you see a sign of overload, leave the room first, and call 911 if the danger is immediate. The RBQ then recommends clearing the roof, whatever the amount of snow. Then have the structure checked by an engineer.
We clear snow with tools that do not cut the roofing, and we close off the area on the ground before bringing the snow down.
Frequently asked questions
Is it dangerous to clear snow off your own roof?
Yes, as soon as you leave the ground. The RBQ calls roof snow removal a risky operation. The only do-it-yourself method it describes is a roof rake with a telescopic handle, used from the ground.
My roof is flat. Surely I can go up there?
No. Under the snow, you can no longer see the edge, the ice or the skylights. And a flat roof membrane is easily punctured by a blow from a shovel.
Does a plastic shovel damage the roof?
A plastic shovel damages the roof less than a metal one, but it does not solve the rest. You still have to go up, and scraping down to the roofing wears the surface. The RBQ points out that specialized companies know the methods that avoid damaging the waterproof membrane.
Official sources, consulted October 8, 2026: