When Frank Sinatra sang “let it snow, let it snow, let it snow,” he probably wasn’t having problems with the white stuff on his roof. However, left untouched on your own roof, snow can spring various unexpected issues that we can only assume eluded Ol’ Blue Eyes.

Yes, snowfall could leave your street looking like a picture postcard, but you won’t be seeing nearly as pretty a picture if your roof breaks, leaks or even collapses under the snow’s weight.

Remove excess snow from your roof

Unfortunately, when snow does fall on your roof, it probably won’t settle in a consistently thick layer like icing on a cake. It could instead gather more heavily in corners, and facilitiesnet warns that two to three feet of snow can be more than a roof is physically capable of bearing.

The Spruce describes how you go about “the only safe way to remove snow from a roof”, and it involves using a long-handled roof rake; whatever you do, don’t climb onto your snow-coated roof.

Clear out your guttering

Of course, snow doesn’t stay snow forever, and it becomes especially problematic when it turns into ice. This happens when the snow melts into water which then re-freezes. We’ll soon explain why this happens on a roof, but the bottom line is that its resilience is under threat.

That’s because ice is heavier than snow, so follow BT’s advice that you keep your gutters clean and so give that water somewhere to escape before it can become ice.

Remove ice – while keeping yourself safe

Maybe it’s a little too late, and ice has already formed on your roof. It could even be hidden under a layer of snow, a possibility that shouldn’t be ruled out, as snow can be surprisingly insulating.

As a result, once ice has taken hold beneath snow, this situation can linger until you remove the ice yourself, such as through ascending an extension ladder and chipping some of that ice away by hand – while, remember, not physically getting yourself on top of the roof.

Improve your loft’s insulation and ventilation

Ice can also take effect as ice dams: masses of ice that form along the lower edge of rooflines. Left to develop, ice dams can become heavy enough to threaten your roof eaves’ structure. These dams can also force melted water underneath your shingles, potentially leading to damp ceilings and walls.

However, ice dams form in the first place due to snow melting on warm parts of the roof, which is why you have an interest in cooling the air inside your attic space. Googling “recommended roofers near me” could help you to trace professionals offering a few tips for this.

Trim tree branches and leaves that accumulate snow

If your outdoor space includes any trees with branches or leaves overhanging the roof, you might want to get those risky branches or leaves cut. Otherwise, snow gathering on them could lead them to fall onto your roof and add to the snowy burden there.