Should I Rake My Roof

Well in a perfect world you d get out there with your roof rake every time you get any snow at all.

Should i rake my roof.

Roof rakes cost between 60 and 180 depending on the type you use. You don t have to get all the snow. A roof rake is not a rake as in what you d use in fall but rake refers to the pulling or raking process involved in pulling the snow off the roof versus a shovel which you push. One by 2 inch rake boards often cover the exposed top edge of the siding when there also is an eave overhang on the gable end.

In addition roof raking often isn t particularly effective at removing wet heavy or hardened snow from your roof. I ve always used 6 inches as the rule of thumb. The most popular option is to use a snow rake. Choose a roof rake with small rollers bumpers or wheels near the blade of the rake.

It s also difficult to use a roof rake to clear the snow out of your roof valleys because the rake is flat and the surface is angular. That s not feasible for most people though. Never never use a roof rake or try to shovel snow off a slanted roof. It helps to leave the bottom most layer of snow on the roof as this protects the shingles from damage by the snow rake.

For the record a metal roof tends to shed water snow and ice better than a roof with asphalt shingles. By the time. The safest way to clean snow from your roof is with a snow rake a long pole with a flat piece of aluminum attached to the end. You can buy a roof rake or make your own snow removal tool.

Typical roofs can withstand up to 20 lbs of snow per square foot. Now add ice snow wind and maybe some sleet to the situation. Just the excess that threatens the load bearing capacity of the roof. Roof rake boards are installed in different widths based on the surface being covered.

It will do no good will not cure ice dams is extremely hazardous and can harm asphalt shingles and in your case slate. Leave a few inches of snow on the roof and slide the rake over the snow. However you should make sure the ground isn t slippery and that you have the upper body strength to handle the rake and pull off the snow. Snowstorms in the southeast are more unusual but tend to be wetter.

Working on your roof is hard enough in the best conditions. If the ice dams are already there try to remove as much snow as possible from the area of the roof behind the ice dam at least 4 6 feet. Here are some things for you to consider to help you. Also over raking like over brushing your teeth may actually do harm in that you ll rub many of the granules off your shingles.

If you do a little bit each day you won t have to worry about it accumulating.