Should I Clear Snow on My Skylight? The Hidden Dangers
The winter landscape can be breathtaking, with a fresh blanket of snow turning your home into a picturesque scene. But as you admire the view from inside, you might notice the natural light from your skylight has vanished, replaced by a heavy, white mound. This leads to a critical question for many homeowners: should I clear snow on my skylight?
While it might seem harmless, that accumulation of snow and ice poses a significant threat to your home’s integrity. Ignoring it can lead to a cascade of expensive and stressful problems, turning your beautiful architectural feature into a major liability.
You'll Learn About
The Heavy Truth: Why Snow on Your Skylight is a Major Problem
That seemingly fluffy snow is deceptively heavy and brings with it a host of potential issues. Understanding these risks is the first step in protecting your home from costly water damage and structural strain this winter.
The Crushing Weight: Structural Damage Risks
Fresh, light snow may not seem like a threat, but its weight adds up quickly. Just one cubic foot of light snow can weigh around 7 pounds, while wet, heavy snow can weigh 20 pounds or more. Now, imagine that spread across your entire skylight.
This immense pressure puts a significant strain on the skylight’s frame, seals, and the surrounding roof structure. Over time, this can lead to tiny cracks in the glass or frame, compromising the unit’s integrity and setting the stage for future failures.
The Silent Intruder: Leaks and Water Damage
The most common and immediate danger of a snow-covered skylight is water intrusion. As the sun or heat escaping from your home warms the surface of the skylight, the bottom layer of snow begins to melt. This meltwater has nowhere to go.
Trapped by the surrounding snow and ice, the water will pool against the skylight’s seals and flashing. These are the most vulnerable points, and constant exposure to moisture can cause them to fail, allowing water to seep into your home, damaging ceilings, walls, and insulation.
Ice Dams: The Skylight’s Arch-Nemesis
Ice dams are ridges of ice that form at the edge of a roof, preventing melting snow from draining properly. Skylights, because they often protrude from the roofline and can be slightly warmer than the surrounding roof, are prime locations for ice dam formation.
As snow melts and then refreezes, a dam of ice builds up around the skylight’s base. This forces the accumulating meltwater to back up and penetrate beneath the roof shingles and the skylight’s flashing, leading to severe leaks inside your home.
The Hidden Cost: Energy Inefficiency
You likely invested in a skylight to brighten your home with natural light and potentially benefit from passive solar heating during the winter. A thick blanket of snow completely negates these benefits. It blocks all incoming sunlight, forcing you to rely more on artificial lighting.
Furthermore, without the sun’s warming rays, your home’s heating system has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. The efficiency of your entire home heating system can be impacted, which is a crucial consideration when you are deciding if you should buy a house with baseboard heating or another system.
To Clear or Not to Clear? A Risk Assessment Guide
Deciding whether to remove the snow requires a careful balance of risk. While leaving it can cause damage, removing it improperly can be dangerous to both you and your skylight. The key is to assess the situation based on the type of snow and the amount of accumulation.
Use the table below to quickly assess your situation. It outlines the potential problems associated with different snow conditions and provides a clear recommendation for action.
| Snow/Ice Condition | Potential Problem | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|
| Light, fluffy snow (under 6 inches) | Low risk. Blocks light but weight is minimal. | Monitor. Generally safe to leave unless more snow is forecast. |
| Heavy, wet snow (any depth) | High risk. Significant weight stress on the skylight and roof structure. | Clear Safely. Remove snow promptly using a long-handled snow rake from the ground. |
| Layer of ice on or around the skylight | Very high risk. Indicates an ice dam is forming. High potential for leaks. | Clear with Caution. Do not chip at the ice. Remove surrounding snow to allow melting. Call a professional if severe. |
| Deep, accumulated snow (over 1 foot) | High risk. Extreme weight load and high probability of water intrusion upon melting. | Clear Safely or Call a Pro. Removing this much snow is hazardous; professional help is recommended. |
| Repeated cycles of melting and freezing | Very high risk. This is the primary cause of ice dams and seal failure. | Proactive Removal is Key. Clear snow before it has a chance to melt and refreeze against the skylight. |
Your Action Plan: How to Safely Clear Snow From a Skylight
If you’ve determined that the snow needs to be removed, your absolute top priority is safety. Never step onto a snow-covered roof. The risk of slipping and falling is extremely high and simply not worth it.
Safety First: The Golden Rules of Rooftop Snow Removal
Always maintain a secure footing on the ground or a stable, well-placed ladder. Be aware of your surroundings, especially overhead power lines. Never attempt to clear a skylight from on top of the roof.
Work methodically and avoid over-reaching. If you cannot safely reach the skylight from the ground with the proper tools, it is time to call a professional roofing or snow removal service.
The Right Tools for the Job: What You’ll Need
The best tool for this job is a long-handled snow rake designed specifically for roofs. These rakes have a long, telescoping pole and a wide head that allows you to pull snow down from a safe distance.
Avoid using metal shovels, sharp tools, or anything that could scratch, crack, or shatter the skylight’s glass or acrylic dome. A soft-bristled brush on a long pole can also be effective for lighter, fluffier snow.
Step-by-Step Guide to Clearing Snow from the Ground
First, ensure the area below the skylight is clear of people, pets, and fragile objects. Snow falling from the roof can be heavy and cause injury or damage. Position yourself a safe distance away from the house.
Extend your snow rake and gently place it on the roof above the skylight. Pull the snow straight down, away from the skylight. Do not scrape aggressively; let the tool do the work to avoid damaging the skylight or your roof shingles.
Focus on clearing the snow from the top and sides of the skylight first. This helps relieve the weight and reduces the potential for meltwater to pool against the seals as the sun hits it.
When to Fold ‘Em: Calling in the Professionals
There are times when a DIY approach is too risky. You should call a professional if you see a thick layer of ice, as trying to chip it away can cause severe damage. If the snow accumulation is exceptionally deep or your roof has a very steep pitch, it’s best to leave it to the experts.
Professionals have the right safety equipment, insurance, and experience to remove snow and ice safely and effectively without causing harm to your home or themselves.
Proactive Protection: Preventing Skylight Snow Problems Before They Start
The best way to deal with skylight snow problems is to prevent them from happening in the first place. A combination of proper installation, regular maintenance, and good home insulation can make a world of difference.
Proper Installation and Maintenance
Ensure your skylight is installed correctly with high-quality flashing and seals. Before winter arrives, inspect the skylight for any signs of wear and tear, such as cracked seals or gaps in the flashing. Sealing any potential entry points for water is a crucial preventative step.
The Power of Insulation
A major cause of ice dams is heat escaping from your attic and melting the snow on your roof from underneath. Proper attic insulation keeps the heat inside your living space and the roof surface cold, preventing this melt-and-refreeze cycle.
Evaluating your current insulation is a smart move. When considering your options, understanding the differences between fiberglass vs. cellulose insulation can help you make a more informed decision to protect your home and improve energy efficiency.
What About the Aftermath? Dealing with Leaks and Damage
Even with precautions, leaks can happen. If you discover water damage, it’s essential to act quickly to minimize the impact on your home.
Spotting the Signs of a Leak
The most obvious signs of a leak are drips of water or discolored, brownish stains on the ceiling or walls around the skylight shaft. You might also notice bubbling or peeling paint, indicating moisture has gotten into the drywall.
Making Temporary Repairs
If you have an active leak during a storm, your immediate goal is to control the water. Place a bucket underneath the drip to protect your floors. If possible, safely clearing the snow and ice from the skylight can stop the source of the water.
The Path to a Permanent Fix
Once the weather has cleared, a permanent repair is necessary. This usually involves a professional roofer who can identify the source of the leak, which could be failed flashing, a bad seal, or even a crack in the skylight itself. The repair will likely involve replacing these components.
Interior damage will also need to be addressed. This means replacing any water-damaged insulation and repairing the ceiling. Often, this requires cutting out the stained portion and installing a new piece of drywall, a task that requires careful work, much like when you need to handle drywall over a protruding pipe to achieve a seamless finish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Homeowners often have similar questions when it comes to snow and skylights. Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries.
Can I use salt or chemical de-icers on my skylight?
Absolutely not. Rock salt and chemical de-icers can be highly corrosive and can cause significant damage to the skylight’s glass, acrylic, seals, and flashing. They can also harm your roofing materials and gutters as the runoff flows down.
Will the sun eventually melt the snow off my skylight?
Eventually, yes, but this is a risky strategy. While waiting for the sun to do the job, the cycle of partial melting during the day and refreezing at night can create dangerous ice dams and force water into your home. It’s far safer to be proactive.
Does a skylight cover help with snow?
An exterior skylight cover can offer some protection by preventing direct contact between the snow and the skylight seals. However, a very heavy snowfall will still put weight on the cover and the skylight structure itself, so removal may still be necessary.
Ultimately, deciding to clear snow from your skylight is a judgment call based on safety and the potential for damage. By understanding the risks, using the right tools, and prioritizing your safety, you can protect your home and continue enjoying the benefits of your skylight for years to come.
