Do snow roof rakes work?
Depending on snow density, your slanted roof may be able to safely support up to 2-4 feet of snow accumulation. The most common reason homeowners rake their roof is to prevent the creation (or reduce the impact) of ice dams.
How do I choose a roof rake?
The best roof rakes have 4 points in common:
- Most importantly: the rake should have small rollers, bumpers, or wheels near the blade of the rake.
- A slight bend in the handle is good.
- Plastic is better than metal.
- A telescoping slide feature is handy.
Can roof rake damage shingles?
You’ll damage your roof rake and the roof. Many people have pulled down shingles from their roof tugging at them with a roof rake. Remember there’s frozen water above and below the shingles. Once the snow is no longer there to feed the ice dam it will start to diminish in size.
What is a snow roof rake?
A roof rake is an excellent way to clear excess snow from the top of your home. Comprised of an extending handle and a blade, these simple tools allow you to remove snow from your roof while keeping both feet on the ground. Scoop blades are designed to be placed at the top of the roof and dragged towards the ground.
Are roof rakes worth it?
If your roof is flat or has a low slope, roof raking is definitely a must once the snow gets to be about 6 inches or more. If your roof has a higher pitch, it’s still something to consider, especially if the snow is wet and heavy and it is building up.
How much do roof rakes cost?
How much does a roof rake cost? You may purchase a roof rake for $35 to $110. How much you want to spend on that scale depends on the length of the pole and the quality of the product. Roof rakes range in pole length from 16′ to 24′.
What is the difference between the roof eaves and the rake?
Eaves—The lower edge of a roof (often overhanging beyond the edge of the house). Rake—The slanting edge of a gable roof at the end wall of the house. Ridge—The horizontal line at the top edge of two sloping roof planes.
Should I remove snow from my roof?
— You may be tempted to climb up on your roof and shovel off all that snow that’s been building up this winter. But don’t. It’s dangerous, and you may cause more damage than the snow will. Clearing snow like this from roofs may actually cause more damage to the roof than the snow will.
Should I remove snow from around my house?
Indeed, keeping snow away from the perimeter of your house is one of the best things you can do to prevent foundation damage. When snow melts, the water has to go somewhere. If snow is built up around your house, the water may seep into any existing cracks in your foundation, leading to basement flooding.
How much snow should I rake off my roof?
A good rule of thumb is to get your roof cleared after every 6 inches of snowfall. If you prevent too much snow from piling up on your roof, it’s much harder for ice dams to form and you can certainly stop worrying about any sort of roof cave-in.
Do you need to shovel the snow off your roof?
If you’ve had ice damming in the past or signs of leakage it’s important to remove the snow from the front 4-6 feet of your roof after every snow fall. Just as you’d go out there to shovel the snow from the driveway or sidewalks, you need to get out and remove the snow from the roof.
Do roof rakes work?
Generally speaking, yes, roof rakes work. A roof rake is intended to remove snow from roofs to prevent ice dams (I have a lot of experience with those).