It's called a roof rake, but it's not your garden variety
A roof rake is a tool for clearing snow off a roof.
Use a roof rake whenever you have six inches of snowfall.
You don't need a ladder, but still take precautions when using it.
The snow is piling up on your roof, and you would rather skip calling the snow removal company for now. One possibility for dealing with the buildup is to use a roof rake—but what is a roof rake and when should you use one? Read on to learn all about this tool.
A roof rake is a tool that you use to clean snow off a roof. You stand on the ground and use the rake—which can have extension poles as long as 30 feet—to pull the snow off the roof. Since the rake does not require you to climb any ladders, it is the safest way to clear snowfall from your roof (besides hiring someone to do it for you).
The most basic type of roof rake features a rectangular blade that is made of aluminum, polyethylene, or fiberglass.
The blade is typically 17 to 25 inches wide and three to 10 inches deep. Some rakes come with different attachments so you can switch between different types of blades and scoops. For clearing your roof, you will use the blade option.
The blade can be rectangular or have rounded edges. When possible, it is advisable to get a rake with rounded edges since they do not scratch the surface of the shingles as easily as other types. Also, you will see rake blades with wheels or bumpers. These help to protect your roof and can prevent damage to shingles.
The expandable handles come in different lengths around 15 to 30 feet long. Some handles are telescoping for easy storage, while other rakes may come with rods that you snap together.
Some roof rakes have a slide feature which is attached to the bottom of the blade. The snow easily glides down the plastic slide so you can clear the roof faster and more efficiently.
So, how do you know when to remove snow from the roof? Generally, it is good practice to clear your roof with every six inches of snowfall that you get.
Most roofs can safely handle more than six inches of snowfall, but clearing your roof regularly with a roof rake can help you prevent ice dams. True to its name, this ice formation typically forms on roof eaves and prevents melting snow from draining properly. This can lead to serious issues with leaks in your house, along with water damage on the roof.
To figure out exactly how often you should remove snow from your roof, try to find out your roof’s weight capacity. Then consider the weather in your area and the type of snowfall you expect. This will help you estimate how often you ought to use your roof rake.
Note that modern roofs can usually withstand 20 pounds per cubic foot of weight. This equates to four feet of fresh snow, two feet of packed snow, or one inch of ice.
If you accidentally dislodge a shingle from your roof while using the roof rake, you should get it repaired before using the rake again.
Also, if you have a two- or three-story house, you will not be able to clear the roof with a roof rake and should bring in a pro to help instead.
Ready to use your roof rake? Here are the precautions and steps you should take.
Before using your roof rake, determine what kind of snow you are dealing with. One square foot of light, fluffy snow weighs 0.26 pounds, while one square foot of wet snow weighs 1.66 pounds. You can get a good idea of the snow type you are dealing with on your roof by inspecting the snow on the ground.
If you are dealing with heavy snow, beware that the snow you are pulling off the roof can be dangerous as it gains momentum and falls onto the ground. Falling ice and icicles can be especially hazardous. Make sure all children and pets are inside before getting started.
Wear a hard hat, safety goggles, and gloves to protect yourself. Put on a good pair of shoes or snow boots with solid traction to avoid slipping.
Also, avoid power lines at all costs. If there are power lines anywhere near your roof, do not use your roof rake. Call in a professional to help you clear the roof instead.
Finally, do not climb a ladder while using the roof rake. You need your feet firmly planted on the ground to use your rake safely.
Depending on your roof rake type, this may require you simply to extend the telescoping handle or snap multiple handles together.
Start at one corner of the roof and place your rake a couple of feet from the edge. Next, pull the rake down with light force, keeping the rake parallel to the roof. Do not push down too hard on the roof to avoid damaging shingles, but instead allow gravity to do the work for you. The goal is not to clear all traces of snow, but rather to clear off most of the snow’s weight while leaving an inch or two.
Once you have cleared the first two feet of snow from the edge, you can move on to clearing off the two to three feet of snow behind it. Repeat until you have cleared off as much as you can with your rake. As long as you clear off at least five to six feet from the edge, you have done what you can to prevent ice dams.
Here are some tips to remove snow from your roof:
Note that shingles are easily damaged by roof rakes because you can scratch the top layer with either the roof rake or with debris. Eventually, the scratches can lead to cracks, which can then lead to water leaks in your house. So, proceed with caution to avoid costly repairs.
Take care around skylights to avoid damaging them. Rather than rake the top of the window, simply remove the snow on either side. When it comes to chimneys, do not get too close to their edges to avoid damaging the siding with the side of your rake’s blade. Also, be careful clearing snow around gutters and flashing to avoid bending or warping them.
Clear off any exhaust vents that you can reach to help improve ventilation; this also helps to prevent ice dams from forming.
If the job seems too big for you to handle on your own, hire a snow removal company near you. You can expect snow removal costs to range between $350 to $450 for an annual contract.
Clearing snow from your roof can be a tedious and time-consuming job. Even so, it is extremely important to maintain your roof during the winter months. You can help prevent ice dams and avoid roof collapse.
As a side note, rather than shoveling your roof, you should always use a roof rake to modify the job. Otherwise, call in a professional.
How much snow can a roof hold? The answer could help you to avoid roof collapse—a worst-case scenario, of course. For most roofs, you can expect it to withstand four feet of fresh snow, two feet of packed snow, or two to three feet of a mix of old and new snow. However, your roof will only be able to handle one inch of ice. The actual weight capacity of your roof may vary, so check with whoever built it for exact details.
Roof raking helps clear snowfall from your roof and, in turn, you hope that this prevents ice dams. But can roof raking actually cause them? Generally, no, it cannot. But you should note that while, in some cases, you might successfully prevent ice dams from forming near the edge of your roof by keeping it cleared with a roof rake, they could still form higher up on the roof, where you are unable to reach. This may leave you wondering: Does roof raking prevent ice dams? While it is not a 100% guaranteed way to prevent them, it does help.
