During winter, snowfall can accumulate and become very heavy on structures on your property. While homes and garages are built to withstand the weight, gazebos are not built to withstand as much snowfall as other buildings.
You must regularly remove snow from your gazebo because the roof may cave in if large amounts of snow build up. This damage is more likely if your gazebo has a flat roof, because snow cannot easily fall off by itself as it does on a sloped gazebo roof.
The right tool to remove snow from your gazebo is going to depend on the amount of snow, the type of snow (hard and wet or soft and light) and the type of gazebo you have.
You can remove snow from a gazebo using a number of tools including:
- Snow shovel
- Leaf blower (a cordless one is easier to use)
- Snow rake
It is possible for your gazebo to collapse completely under the weight of snow and ice buildup. Even if your gazebo is not visibly damaged, snow left unattended on the roof for long periods of time will cause mildew to grow and can rot a wooden gazebo.
The same is true with removing snow on your balcony or composite decking.
Roof damage to a gazebo could can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Thankfully, we have provided a few tips and tricks you can use to remove snow from your gazebo quickly and easily.
The Best Time to Remove Snow from Your Gazebo
The strength of your gazebo depends on its construction. I have found from experience that the best time to remove snow from the roof of your gazebo is after an inch or two has settled on top, to ensure that no damage is done.
Even if your gazebo has a metal roof, snow can weaken its structure. Most gazebos are only supported by four legs, which means it is nowhere near as strong as your home’s roof.
If you are unsure about the best method for removing snow from your gazebo, contact a professional who can advise you going forward.
IMPORTANT: No structure is worth injuring yourself. Do not do any activity to remove snow that is unsafe for you. This accessory structure is not worth harming yourself.
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Best Tools to Use When Removing Snow from Your Gazebo
There are a variety of tools you can use to remove snow from your gazebo’s roof. Some are better suited than others depending on your gazebo’s design.
Shovel
Most people have a shovel at home which can be used for removing snow from a gazebo roof. Shovels are best used on a gazebo with a flat roof, as you can break up dense snow and remove large quantities.
While any shovel will work, it is nice to have a strain-reducing snow shovel on hand to reduce the stress of shoveling heavy snow. They are surprisingly affordable and really work well when having to shovel snow from a driveway or yard.
If you must climb a ladder to reach your gazebo’s roof, make sure that you use a specialized ladder and not a standard one, as this can be dangerous.
Leaf Blower
A leaf blower can be used to remove snowfall from the roof of your gazebo. Leaf blowers are best used on light snowfall, where the snow has not yet become tightly packed. Otherwise, your leaf blower will not be powerful enough to remove the snow.
Snow Rake
A snow rake is the best and safest way to remove snow from the roof of your gazebo. Snow rakes are perfect for gazebos, as they can remove small layers of snowfall quickly and easily. They also have a rubber or plastic rake so that they will not scratch your roof.
If you are buying a snow rake, make sure to get one with a long handle. A long handle ensures that you will not have to climb a ladder, which is dangerous in icy conditions.
A long handle also means you can stand further back and avoid injury from falling snow and ice coming off of the roof.
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How to Remove Snow Safely from Your Gazebo
There are several ways you can minimize the risk to yourself and others when removing snow from your gazebo’s roof:
- Try to avoid climbing up a ladder to reach any snow, if possible. This can be dangerous, especially if your ladder has been left outside collecting ice.
- Only remove as much snow as necessary. Removing snow in large quantities could break your tools and strain a muscle.
- Do not pile up snow in one spot on the gazebo roof to remove all at once. This can put stress on one place, causing the roof to cave in.
- Make sure you know where the snow will fall once removed from the roof, as it could fall and cause you harm.
Move any expensive items from inside and around your gazebo in case the snow and any ice falls and causes damage.
These are the best ways to remove snow from your gazebo roof this winter. If possible, it is best to remove snow after an accumulation of 1-2 inches of snow. However, in snow storms with more snowfall, assess your gazebo when it is safe to do so and remove snow buildup as best as you can.
