NEWTON (CBS) – Now that the blizzard of 2013 is behind us, it?s time for homeowners to clear off those rooftops packed with heavy snow.

?If you can get that snow off as much as possible you will reduce the risk of collapse,? said  Richard Melo of Newton Roofing Residential.

Melo says homes with more than 10 inches of snow should have it removed by a professional or by standing on the ground with a snow rake. ?If you have a flat roof, or a slope roof the snow will congregate once the rain comes and it will saturate and not drain,? Melo said.

When it comes to cleaning off your roof, homeowners don?t need to remove all the snow but just the bottom three to five feet. ?If you can remove the bottom few feet from the edges that will keep the ice dams from forming,? Melo said.

Gutters also need to be cleared as much as possible.

The average cost of removing snow off a roof is about $450. With larger homes it can cost nearly $1,000.

If you have a flat roof and plan to do it yourself, use a plastic shovel. Anything with metal may damage your roof.