Roof snow removal in Laval

When to have the roof cleared

According to the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ, Quebec's building authority), roofs are generally built to carry the snow loads of Quebec winters. The Régie still asks for vigilance when accumulations are exceptional.

The Régie recommends that owners remove accumulated snow to avoid the risk of collapse, and that they hand this work to companies with the right experience and equipment.

Some situations call for closer attention:

• A vaulted or rounded roof. The Régie asks owners to watch these roofs, especially when the snow is not spread evenly.
• A modified building. If the structure has undergone major changes, the Régie considers it all the more important to consult a structural engineer.

Snow removal is one of the winter jobs we can take on, just like an urgent roof repair. The Régie observes that careful owners sign this contract at the start of the winter season, like the one for their driveway.

The signs of a load that is too heavy

The Régie names four signs to watch for. All of them can be seen or heard from inside:

• cracks in interior walls,
• interior doors that stick or rub,
• unusual creaking sounds,
• a ceiling that changes shape.

If these signs are numerous, the Régie asks occupants to evacuate the building and have the snow removed, no matter how much snow is on the roof. The depth you see from the street is not the right test.

In the face of immediate danger, such as repeated creaking or a sagging ceiling, do not look for the cause. Get out with all the occupants and call 911.

To find out whether the structure is suffering, the Régie refers owners to a structural engineer. We remove snow. We do not judge the strength of a roof frame.

Why you stay off the roof

The Régie describes roof snow removal as a risky operation, both for the people on the roof and for those moving around the building. Several hazards surprise people who have never done this work.

• The surface is slippery. According to the CNESST (Quebec's workplace health and safety board), grip is not guaranteed on a snowy or icy surface. Stepping on it can set a slab of snow sliding and cause a fall or a burial.
• Power lines are close. The Régie points to the nearness of electrical installations. Hydro-Québec asks that no person and no tool come within 3 metres of medium-voltage lines.
• Snow hides the roof. A skylight, a damaged section or an opening disappears under the snow. For a flat roof, the CNESST asks snow removal workers to list these features before winter.

Even on a flat roof, stay on the ground or inside.

How the work is done

The method depends on the roof. The CNESST distinguishes work from the ground, work from a lifting device fitted with guardrails and work directly on the roof.

On a flat roof, the CNESST describes preparation done before winter. Among other things, it asks snow removal workers to:

• locate obstacles and fragile surfaces,
• install a guardrail at the roof edge where the snow will be dumped,
• set up a warning line that keeps a 2-metre buffer zone all around the roof, a zone that is not cleared,
• plan how to mark off the area on the ground where snow and ice will fall.

On the day of the work, the crew closes off this drop zone and keeps people out.

On a sloped roof, the CNESST treats climbing up as the method of last resort. This method assumes the work cannot be done from the ground or with a lifting device, and that the remaining snow still threatens the structure.

In every case, we do not scrape down to the roof covering. The Régie recommends leaving a thin layer of snow on the roof to keep the waterproofing membrane in good condition.

Also ask us to clear what must stay open: the drains of a flat roof, where meltwater runs off, and the building's exits at ground level.

Ice dams at the roof edge

An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms on the eaves of a sloped roof. A digest from the National Research Council of Canada explains how it forms. Heat escaping from the building melts the snow on the roof slope. The water runs toward the colder edge and freezes there. The digest dates from 1968, and the Council keeps it as a historical reference.

The ice keeps meltwater from draining. On a covering made of overlapping pieces, such as shingles, the trapped water can seep into the attic or into the exterior walls.

Do not hit this ice and do not try to knock it loose. Keep people away from the roof edge and have us look at the roof. The Régie asks owners to have visible ice and icicles removed from the edge of their building, because of the danger to pedestrians and cars.

Removing the ice deals with the current winter. For a lasting result, the digest names two key points: proper ceiling insulation and attic ventilation with outside air. If the ice dam comes back every winter, tell us in your request.

Exits, balconies and the carport

After a snowfall, the Régie also asks owners to clear snow and ice from stairs, doors, balconies and windows, especially if they serve as emergency exits, and to clear the escape routes to the street.

A temporary carport shelter can collapse under snow. The Régie asks owners not to clear its roof from the inside. The CNESST adds that you should never push on the fabric from inside, since the shelter could collapse on the person.

Prices that companies post

No public body publishes a rate for roof snow removal. The amounts below come from the websites of Quebec companies and comparison sites. They are given per visit, not for the season.

The range is wide. The sources name the same causes: roof area, slope, access, ice to remove and urgency. One company adds a per-square-foot benchmark of $0.50 to $1.00. Our quote gives you your price once the roof has been seen or described.

What the quote should say

According to the Régie, a Régie licence is not required to clear snow from roofs. The Régie asks owners to make sure the company has the necessary experience and equipment. Ask that the quote specify:

• the planned method: from the ground, with a lifting device or on the roof,
• the depth of snow left in place to protect the roof covering,
• the parts of the roof included, and whether the ice at the roof edge is included,
• clearing of drains and exits,
• the drop zone on the ground, who marks it off and where the fallen snow will go,
• the company's liability insurance certificate,
• whether it is a single visit or a contract for the season, and how soon the crew comes after a call.

For a commercial building or an apartment building, add the work schedule. The drop zone can block an entrance, a sidewalk or parking spaces, and occupants must be warned.

What to tell us in your request

A few ready answers save time:

1. Is the roof flat or sloped, and what is it covered with?
2. How many storeys does the building have?
3. What do you see from the ground: deep snow, ice at the edge, icicles above an entrance?
4. What do you see inside: cracks, sticking doors, a misshapen ceiling, water?
5. Do power lines run near the roof?
6. Are there skylights or equipment on the roof?
7. What is at the foot of the walls: an entrance, a sidewalk, cars, the neighbour's lot?

Take photos from the ground or from a window. They will help during the visit.

Frequently asked questions