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Walking on the roof to clean gutters is unsafe. If you do your own gutter cleaning, use a ladder to reach the gutters rather than climbing on your roof. Walking on the roof is dangerous, especially if it has rained recently or if there are fallen leaves. You can also damage your shingles when walking on them, which can lead to water leaks.

Keep in mind that using a ladder has its risks, too. It can be difficult to keep your balance while doing the labor-intensive work of cleaning gutters. For safety reasons, hiring a pro to clean your gutters is the best choice.

It is not advisable to use salt on your roof to prevent or remove ice dams. It’s not only mostly ineffective but can also cause serious damage to your roof itself. Salt can rust metal, damage masonry, pit shingles, and cause runoff that’s damaging to plants and animals. 

The cost of removing snow from a roof averages between $300 and $700. However, this cost can range from $200 to $3,000, depending on the size of your roof, the amount of snow, and roof accessibility. 

Since snowfall can range from light powder to heavy and condensed snow, part of the price of roof snow removal depends on the amount and type of snow. For 12 inches of snow, you can expect to pay between $200 and $2,000 for this job. However, for 24 inches of snow, that price rises to $300 to $3,000.

You should clean your panels at least twice a year. It depends on your location. In dusty climates (think the Arizona desert), you may need to clean your panels more frequently. Dust can dramatically impact the electrical output. If you live in a climate with extreme weather, you may want to check your panels seasonally.