8 Tools for Removing Heavy Snow from Your Hoop House

A sudden midwinter blizzard can transform your hoop house from a protective growing haven into a sagging, high-risk structural hazard overnight. Wet, heavy snow accumulates rapidly on flexible polyethylene film, placing immense weight on metal arches that were never designed to hold thousands of pounds. Having the right specialized tools on hand allows you to safely clear snow accumulation before critical frame failure occurs.

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Why Heavy Snow Threatens Your Hoop House Frame

Wet snow can weigh up to 20 pounds per cubic foot, creating immense downward pressure on lightweight tubular steel arches. Unlike rigid glass greenhouses, a hoop house relies on balanced tension across its plastic covering to distribute structural loads evenly. When snow accumulates unequally or pools in low spots, that structural balance breaks down rapidly.

The primary danger comes from unbalanced loading, which occurs when snow clears off one side of the roof while remaining anchored to the other. This creates a severe twisting force on the purlins and bows, causing the frame to buckle sideways long before the total weight exceeds its downward load rating.

Cold weather reduces the elasticity of greenhouse plastic, making it brittle and prone to catastrophic tears under heavy loads. Once a sheet rips, wind enters the structure, expanding the tear and exposing overwintering crops to freezing temperatures in seconds.

Roof Rake – Avalanche 750 Roof Snow Removal Rake

A dedicated roof rake allows you to clear high peaks without climbing ladders or standing under dangerously weighted plastic. The Avalanche 750 uses a plastic slide mechanism beneath a cutter frame, letting snow slide off under its own gravity with minimal physical force.

The Avalanche 750 features a smooth plastic cutter head equipped with wheels that keep the metal frame elevated, preventing the sharp cutting bar from slicing into soft double-layer poly film. Its lightweight fiberglass pole handles reach up to 16 feet easily, making it perfectly sized for standard gothic-arch or hoop house designs.

Setting up the plastic slide sheet requires a brief learning curve, as high wind can twist the long plastic tail before it anchors against the snowpack. Always work from the ends toward the middle to maintain even weight distribution along the structural ribs.

• Reach: 16-foot snap-together pole assembly
• Safety feature: 1.5-inch wheels protect plastic film
• Mechanism: Vinyl slide sheet for frictionless clearing

This tool is ideal for growers with high-peak gothic structures who need to clear thick, packed snow quickly. It is not suitable for low-profile tunnel frames where lower roof angles prevent snow from sliding down the plastic sheet.

Foam Broom – Snow Joe RJ205M Roof Snow Rake

Soft-headed snow brooms are essential for sweeping light to medium snowfall off delicate plastic sheeting without scratching, puncturing, or snagging the film. They allow you to nudge snow loose from lower hip boards and sidewalls safely from ground level.

The Snow Joe RJ205M utilizes a non-abrasive, high-density foam head that pushes heavy powder without abrading poly film. Weighing under five pounds, its telescoping aluminum pole extends up to 21 feet, giving small-scale growers exceptional reach without causing shoulder strain.

Foam heads excel with dry, powdery snow or fresh accumulations under six inches, but struggle against frozen crusts or ice. Keep spare locking clips on hand, as aluminum pole locks can stiffen when sub-zero moisture freezes inside the telescoping mechanism.

Perfect for hobby farmers managing standard hoop houses up to 14 feet high who clear snow immediately during a storm. It is less effective for neglected, deep snowpacks that require cutting rather than pushing.

Propane Heater – Mr. Heater Big Buddy Radiant

Radiant heat applied inside the hoop house warms the internal air pocket, creating a slick film of meltwater between the roof plastic and the snowpack so heavy snow glides off naturally.

The Mr. Heater Big Buddy Radiant pumps out up to 18,000 BTUs per hour without requiring an electrical connection, making it ideal for off-grid field sites. Its built-in low-oxygen shutoff sensor and tip-over switch provide critical safety when operating in enclosed plastic spaces.

• Output: Variable 4,000 to 18,000 BTUs/hr
• Fuel source: Dual 1 lb. propane cylinders or 20 lb. tank adapter
• Safety features: ODS (Oxygen Depletion Sensor) and tip-over safety switch

Requires brief ventilation to prevent excessive condensation buildup along the interior film, which can drip onto sensitive winter crops. Position the unit on a stable, non-flammable board centered under the main ridge line away from low-hanging sidewalls.

Essential for growers facing heavy, wet snowstorms who want an automated way to slide snow off without physical scraping. It is not recommended for unvented use in tightly sealed structures containing delicate, high-humidity crops without periodic monitoring.

Leaf Blower – DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Blower

High-velocity air offers a completely touchless method to blast fresh, powdery snow off low-sloped sidewalls and reachable roof sections before it packs down into heavy ice.

The DeWalt 20V MAX Handheld Blower delivers up to 450 CFM of air volume at 125 MPH, providing enough force to clear dry snow instantly. Its lightweight, cordless design makes maneuvering down narrow pathways between closely spaced hoop houses effortless.

Battery performance drops significantly in sub-zero temperatures, so keep spare batteries warm inside a jacket pocket until ready for use. This tool is ineffective against wet, slushy snow or ice crusts that have already bonded to the poly plastic.

• Airflow: 450 CFM at 125 MPH
• Weight: 5.4 lbs (tool only)
• Variable speed: Cruise control trigger for continuous clearing

A great pick for growers who monitor storms in real-time and clear light accumulation frequently. Skip this option if your region primarily receives wet, dense maritime snowfalls.

Utility Rope – Atwood Rope 550 Paracord Cable

A simple utility rope operated by two people—one on each side of the hoop house—can be sawed back and forth across the top ridge to break the suction of heavy snow crusts and send huge sheets sliding down safely.

Atwood Rope 550 Paracord features a seven-strand nylon core that provides a 550-pound break strength while remaining smooth enough not to slice or abrade plastic coverings. Its UV-resistant sheath resists rotting and freezing when exposed to melting snow and slush.

Always attach a soft weight, like a tennis ball filled with sand, to the end of the line to toss it over the peak without puncturing the roof film. Keep constant, steady tension between both operators to prevent the cord from whipping or catching on metal frame purlins.

An indispensable, low-cost solution for two-person farm teams dealing with deep, crusty snow caps. It is not suitable for solo operators unless anchored with specialized weights and pulley setups.

Snow Pusher – Garant Yukon Ergonomic Sleigh

Once snow slides off your hoop house roof, it piles up against the sidewalls. A sleigh-style snow pusher allows you to quickly transport deep drift banks away from the perimeter so the frame doesn’t suffer sideways crushing forces.

The Garant Yukon Ergonomic Sleigh features a massive 26-inch poly scoop backed by a steel wear strip that glides over frozen ground without digging in. Its ergonomic steel handle lets you push heavy loads using your body weight rather than lifting with your back.

• Scoop width: 26 inches wide for high-volume removal
• Reinforcement: Steel wear strip for longevity
• Design: Ergonomic metal handle minimizes lumbar fatigue

Requires a packed snow or gravel pathway along the perimeter to glide efficiently. Avoid striking the plastic sidewalls directly with the steel edge when clearing close to the hip boards.

Must-have equipment for smallholders facing multi-foot snowfalls that build high banks against sidewalls. It is unnecessary for areas receiving only light, sporadic dusting.

Poly Tarp – Dry Top Heavy Duty Polyethylene Tarp

Laying heavy-duty tarps along the base perimeter before a storm catches falling snow as it slides off the roof, allowing you to drag piles away effortlessly without manual shoveling.

Dry Top Heavy Duty Tarps utilize a tight 14×14 weave count and 10-mil thickness, offering high tear resistance against sharp ice crusts and heavy drag loads. Reinforced plastic corner caps prevent grommets from pulling out when tugging several hundred pounds of snow away from the structure.

Stake down the outer corners securely before the storm hits so strong winds do not blow the tarp onto the hoop house roof. Clear the collected snow as soon as roof shedding stops, before the accumulated load freezes solid on the tarp surface.

• Material: 10-mil thick polyethylene
• Weave: 14 x 14 cross-weave pattern
• Reinforcement: Corner cap grommets for high tensile pulling

Ideal for solo farmers looking to save time and back strain when managing perimeter drift clearance. It is less effective on uneven, rocky ground where sharp stones might snag the weave under heavy loads.

Heat Gun – Milwaukee M18 Cordless Heat Gun

Targeted spot-heating melts stubborn ice dams that freeze in metal gutters, purge vents, or along lower hip boards, preventing ice expansion from ripping plastic or bending hardware.

The Milwaukee M18 Cordless Heat Gun reaches operational temperature in six seconds and offers complete portability without drag lines or generator requirements out in distant fields. Its guarded nozzle prevents direct contact between the hot heating element and delicate poly sheeting.

Use extreme caution and keep the nozzle moving constantly to avoid melting holes through greenhouse film. Highly power-hungry; pair with an 8.0Ah battery to maximize runtime during freezing conditions.

• Temperature: Operational heat output up to 875°F
• Startup time: Reaches target heat in 6 seconds
• Portability: Cordless 18V system for field operation

Excellent for growers with complex hoop house setups featuring roll-up sides, metal track channels, or end-wall vents prone to icing shut. It is not meant for melting large swaths of snow on the main roof.

Safe Techniques for Clearing Plastic Sheeting

Never push against plastic sheeting from the inside using sharp tools, 2x4s, or metal shovels. Puncturing film under stress causes immediate, violent tearing across the entire span, exposing your crops to the elements and destroying expensive plastic.

Always work from the exterior, clearing snow evenly from both sides in balanced stages. Removing all snow from one side leaves the opposite side under full load, creating asymmetrical forces that can twist steel bows out of alignment and collapse the structure.

Stand away from the drip line and wear a hard hat during clearing operations. Massive snow slabs can slide off slick poly film without warning, presenting a serious impact and suffocation hazard to anyone standing beneath the eaves.

Preventing Frame Collapse During Severe Storms

Structural preparation begins long before winter weather arrives. Install temporary vertical 2×4 support posts under the center ridge line at regular intervals to double the frame’s load capacity during peak winter months.

Maintain proper air pressure in double-layer poly systems. A working inflation blower creates a firm air cushion that maintains the structural dome shape, shedding snow naturally while providing thermal insulation that aids heat retention.

Keep the interior temperature slightly above freezing during active snowfall. Turning on auxiliary heaters early prevents snow from bonding to the outer layer, allowing gravity to clear the roof continuously throughout the storm.

Post-Storm Hoop House Inspection and Care

Once the storm clears and snow is safely removed, inspect the entire structure for signs of metal fatigue, bent purlins, or loosened frame clamps. Tighten loose hardware immediately to restore full structural rigidity before the next wind event.

Examine the poly film closely for small punctures or stress tears along hip boards and end walls. Seal minor tears using specialized UV-stabilized greenhouse repair tape applied to both the inside and outside surfaces of clean, dry plastic.

Re-examine perimeter drainage paths to ensure proper runoff away from the site. Clear meltwater channels away from the foundation so pooling water does not refreeze into ice lenses that push against ground posts or flood interior crop beds.

Protecting your hoop house from winter weather requires preparation, vigilance, and the right tool set for the job. By balancing thermal heating, gentle external clearing, and immediate ground perimeter maintenance, you ensure your winter crops stay safe through the harshest blizzards. Invest in quality winter tools now, before the first heavy snowfall threatens your harvest.