In Vernal, snow that lands on a roof can sit there for a long time. Cold temperatures keep it from melting, and every new storm adds another layer. Uintah County designs roofs for a set snow load, but heavy, wet snow and drifting can pile up more than you’d expect, especially on low-slope roofs, porches, and outbuildings. Meanwhile, heat escaping from your attic melts snow from below, and that water refreezes at the cold roof edge into ice dams that push water under shingles.
Roof raking pulls snow off the lower part of the roof, where ice dams form and where sliding snow causes the most trouble. We work carefully to protect shingles, gutters, and vents, and we clear snow away from doors, walks, and meters once it’s down. For flat and low-slope roofs on shops and businesses, we can remove snow to lighten the load.
We know how long cold stretches in the Basin let snow stack up on roofs and outbuildings.
Roof rakes, safety gear, and tools to clear snow without damaging shingles and gutters.
We'll tell you honestly whether your roof needs raking now or can wait.
We clear the snow from walks, doors, and meters below so you're not left with a mess.
Roof snow raking takes weight and trouble off your roof before it turns into a repair bill. Uintah County designs roofs for a 30 pounds per square foot snow load, and a well-built roof handles a normal winter just fine. The problem is that snow doesn’t land evenly. Wind drifts it into valleys, behind chimneys, and against taller walls, and those spots can carry far more weight than the roof as a whole.
Weight also depends on what kind of snow it is. Light, fluffy powder weighs much less than wet, heavy snow, and older layers get denser as they settle and soak up meltwater. A roof that looks like it has a modest amount of snow can be carrying more than you’d guess.
You don’t need to climb a ladder to spot trouble. Keep an eye out for these from the ground and from inside:
If you see signs of structural stress, like sagging or doors binding, keep people out of that area and have the structure checked by a qualified professional before anyone climbs up.
Houses usually get the attention, but outbuildings are often where snow causes the most trouble. Barns, metal shops, carports, and covered porches across the Uintah Basin tend to have low-slope roofs, no heat inside to help with melting, and in some cases framing that’s decades old. Snow piles up and stays.
For flat and low-slope commercial roofs, raking from the ground isn’t always practical. In those cases we remove snow from the roof surface to lighten the load, leaving a thin layer behind so we don’t damage the roofing underneath. Shovels and tools on these jobs are chosen to move snow without catching seams, vents, or fasteners, and we keep the piles off skylights and equipment on the roof.
Vernal doesn’t get huge snowfall totals, but cold winters mean snow tends to stay put on roofs. With winter lows averaging around 10 degrees, a string of small storms can stack up into one deep, heavy layer by midwinter. Strong afternoon sun at our elevation melts some of it, and that water refreezes at the eaves overnight.
That cycle is exactly what builds ice dams. Raking the lower few feet of the roof keeps that edge cleaner and gives meltwater somewhere to go. It works best as part of a full winter plan, with snow removal keeping the driveway or lot open while the roof gets its own attention.
Raking treats the symptom. The root cause of most ice dams is warm air leaking into the attic and heating the roof deck from below. If your home gets heavy ice dams every winter, it’s worth having a qualified contractor look at attic insulation and ventilation once the weather warms up.
Ice dams and heavy snow also beat up the edge of the roof. Bent gutters, loose fascia, and damaged trim are common come spring, and our general repairs service can handle those fixes once the snow is gone.
Snow coming off a roof lands all at once and lands heavy. It can bury doorways, block exits, crush shrubs, and pile up around gas and electric meters. We clear the drop zone after raking so doors open and meters stay accessible.
For walks and entrances that need attention all winter, sidewalk clearing keeps foot traffic moving, whether you’re in town or out near Ballard or Jensen.
We look at the roof, snow depth, ice buildup, and any problem areas.
You get a quote for raking and cleanup based on your roof and the snow.
We rake snow from the edges, clear gutters and vents, and protect your roof as we work.
We clear snow below, check for ice dams, and let you know what we saw.
