What Is A Roof Rake
A roof rake is a specialized winter tool designed to pull snow off your roof. It features a long pole with a wide, flat blade on the end. The long handle usually extends 15 to 20 feet. Some models even reach up to 30 feet. This extra length lets you reach high areas easily while you stand safely on the ground. You simply reach up and drag the heavy snow down toward you.
The word rake comes from the Old English word raca. This old word means a tool for scraping or gathering. People added the word roof to describe this specific winter tool when manufactured snow removal tools became popular in snowy regions during the mid 1900s. Today, it is an essential tool for homeowners who live in areas that get heavy winter storms.
Why It Matters
Heavy snow puts a massive amount of weight on your house. Wet snow is incredibly heavy. If you leave it up there, the sheer weight can strain your roof structure. But the biggest danger is an ice dam. When snow sits on your roof for a few days, heat from your attic melts the bottom layer of snow. This water runs down to the edge of your roof. The roof edge is colder, so the water refreezes into solid ice.
This ice builds up and creates a dam. Ice dams block new melting water from draining off the roof. The trapped water has nowhere to go. It backs up under your shingles and leaks straight into your attic and walls. A roof rake helps you stop this expensive problem before it starts. By clearing the bottom few feet of snow from your roof edge, you give melting water a clear path down. Protecting your Roofing during the winter saves you from huge repair bills in the spring.
How To Use It Safely
You do not need to clear your entire roof. You only need to clear the bottom 3 to 4 feet near your gutters. This creates enough space for water to run off. Always stand on the solid ground when you use this tool. Never use a roof rake while standing on a ladder. Pulling heavy snow down while balancing on a ladder is very dangerous. The snow can easily fall onto you and knock you off the ladder.
You also need to protect your shingles. Do not scrape the blade all the way down to the bare roof. Leave an inch or two of snow behind. Scraping the blade hard against the roof can rip off your shingles. It can also scrape away the rough protective granules on top of the shingles. Look for a roof rake that comes with small wheels or rollers on the bottom of the blade. These wheels keep the hard metal edge floating just above your shingles.
Costs And Buying Tips
You can find these tools at most local hardware stores or order them online. Keep in mind that prices and ranges vary based on your location and the season. Here is what you can expect to spend:
- Basic aluminum models with a standard blade cost $40 to $60.
- Mid tier models with small wheels to protect your roof cost $70 to $90.
- Premium models with extra pole extensions or nylon snow slides cost $100 to $150.
It is very smart to buy one early in Your First Year as a Homeowner before a big storm hits. Hardware stores almost always sell out of them the morning after a massive blizzard. When you shop, look for a lightweight aluminum or fiberglass pole. A lighter pole is much easier to hold up in the air for 20 to 30 minutes. Also, make sure the pole breaks down into smaller sections so you can easily store it in your garage during the summer.
