Barn Snow Removal: Dos and Donts – Zehr Insurance Brokers Ltd.

It’s definitely here! The heavy snow fall, temperatures dropping, and your barn starts to feel the full weight of winter again.

Picture This

You wake up on a Saturday winter morning to find that 6 inches of heavy snow has covered the entire farm overnight.

As a farmer, it’s that time of year when one of the most overlooked tasks becomes crucial. While clearing snow from your barn might seem like a simple task, doing it wrong could lead to many things such as damages, and even injuries. Whether you are maintaining a barn for livestock, farm equipment, or storage, it’s important to stay ahead of the snow.

Now, this is about more than just removing snow from driveways and pathways. It’s about protecting the structure of your barn, ensuring that everyone working around it is safe, and preventing any possible disruptions to your operation.

Continue Reading: 4 min Read

When to Clear Snow Off Your Barn Roof: Key Signs to Watch For

You might be wondering “When is the right time to remove the snow from my barn roof” Well, below are some key times to consider:

• After a heavy snowfall.
• If expected, before a heavy snowfall.
• When the barn starts to feel warmer than usual, and air quality worsens.
• When you notice that snow is blocking ventilation and airflow.
• When ice dams begin to form or there’s damage inside of your barn.

But, before you get started, it’s important to be aware of the Dos and Don’ts of barn snow removal.

Do’s of Barn Snow Removal

Let the experts do it; they have the tools and safety gear, but if you decide to do it: 

• Use a long-handled roof rake instead of a ladder in snowy or icy conditions to safely clear snow from the roof.  
• Remove snow in layers, starting from the edges and working upwards to minimize the risk of roof collapse. 
• Work back and forth from side to side or work simultaneously on each side to ensure an even removal process.  
• Keep gutters clear to prevent ice dams from forming.  

Dont’s of Barn Snow Removal

• Refrain from using sharp objects, heating tools, or chemicals to remove snow as they can damage your roof and structures. 
• Do not apply rock salt or harsh chemicals when removing snow from your roof. 
• Avoid removing snow unequally from the roof as it could cause the unloaded side of the truss to lift.
• Never pick or chip at ice near the roof surface to avoid damaging the roofing material.  
• Avoid waiting until the last minute to remove snow. 
• Never attempt to do this alone – always have someone assist or supervise when clearing the roof in the event of a problem or injury.