About Roof Rakes
- It's uncommon for a roof to collect enough snow to cave in. However, if your roof was not designed to hold up against unusually heavy and wet snowfalls, removing the snow with a roof rake helps you prevent this from happening. A roof rake is primarily used to prevent ice dams. These develop when snow melts, due to attic heat or sun warmth, then drains into the gutters and freezes. With further thawing and freezing, a long ice block with large icicles forms. The ice can work its way under the shingles where it may melt and leak into the house. This ice buildup can also become very heavy and damage the gutters.
- Unlike yard and leaf rakes, the head of a roof rake's surface is flat, typically measuring between 2 and 3 feet in width. Most roof rakes come in a kit with additional handle sections you can fasten together for added length. The parts are usually made of metal -- generally aluminum -- although some styles have a plastic rake head or plastic fasteners. A plastic rake head may help you avoid scratching a metal roof, but it probably won't last as long as a metal rake head.
- To use your roof rake, stand on the ground and swing the rake head up onto the snow-covered roof. Carefully pull snow down toward, you following the roof slope rather than across the roof. This prevents damage to shingles. Leave a thin layer of snow in place, which also protects the shingles from the rake. This tool is generally not safe to use while standing on a ladder because snow can drop onto the rungs and make your footing precarious.
- You can buy a roof rake at your local hardware store or home improvement center if you live in an area that experiences significant snowfall. The rakes are also available online, but due to their bulky size, postage may make it cost-prohibitive compared with buying one locally. Roof rake prices vary widely, so you may want to read some reviews to understand product differences. Plastic fasteners for the extension sections generally won't last as long as metal ones, for instance. Some roof rakes have wheels on the head to prevent shingle damage.
