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.
Why do you need a roof rake?
Having a good quality roof rake on hand before trouble accumulates is an easy and inexpensive way to protect your roof from the inevitable harm that snow and ice can cause.
Do you need a rake to remove snow from your roof?
Removing snow from your roof without a rake can be risky and dangerous. It is recommended that those who have roofs with a flat or low slope remove snow with a rake to prevent heavy buildup and potential roof cave-ins.
What are the different uses of a rake?
People use rakes to clear leaves and other waste material from roofs after it has been raining. Rakes can also be used to scrape off small sections of a roof that have been damaged due to hail or debris from other storms. Roofers will often keep a rake at their trucks, because they may need to clear a roof during a storm.
What is a roof rake board?
Rake boards protect a home and its roofing system from moisture. Rain, snow, and general humidity can cause damage to a roof, and a roof rake can be particularly vulnerable to the formation of ice dams in the wake of a snowstorm, which can lead to leakage.
Are snow 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.
Why do people use roof rakes?
0:253:53The Roof Rake - Preventing Ice Dams / Handy Andy Realtor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAt the edge of a roof as you can see here and it prevents. Water that's melting from draining. SoMoreAt the edge of a roof as you can see here and it prevents. Water that's melting from draining. So the water sits behind that dam.
Do roof rakes cause ice dams?
THE CURE BECOMES THE CAUSE! best results when all of the snow can be removed from the roof. Only removing a portion of the snow can create problems further up - beyond any ice water barrier underlayments.
What is the best roof rake for snow removal?
BEST OVERALL: True Temper Telescoping Snow Roof Rake.BEST BUDGET: Snow Joe Telescoping Snow Shovel Roof Rake.BEST COMPACT: Gymax Extendable Roof Rake.BEST HEAVY-DUTY: SNOWPEELER Roof Snow Removal Tool.BEST FOR SHINGLES: Extreme Max Roof Rake.BEST FOR FLAT ROOFS: Avalanche! ... BEST MULTIFUNCTIONAL: Avalanche!More items...•
Are roof rakes bad for your roof?
Remember, those ice dams will typically occur near the base of the rooftop, especially on overhangs or areas where icicles are forming. Avoid raking over skylights. Water will usually melt off of these fairly easily, and a roof rake may scratch or damage your skylight.
Are roof rakes bad?
You can cause more damage There is the probability of over-estimating the snows thickness. As a result, you may damage the slated shingles or worse, you could do more damage by raking too much snow towards a weak spot such as a rotting section of the roof.
When should you snow rake your roof?
If your main goal is to prevent ice dams, you should clear your roof after about every 6'' of snowfall. But if your main concern is a roof collapse, then raking your roof after every 12'' or more of snowfall should be adequate.
Should you roof rake a metal roof?
It's safe and effective to use a roof rake on a metal roof. For best results, use a snow rake with large wheels built into the bottom edge of the rake. This way, the rake rolls across the roof as you pull snow off. This prevents the bottom of the rake from scraping against the roof material.
How long of a roof rake do I need?
Ranches are no problem for any of the roof rakes on this site. Their low roof edges make it easy to reach all the way to the top. 21 Feet long should be more than sufficient.
Do I need to shovel snow off my roof?
Although most roofs in northern climates are designed to withstand the heaviest of snowfalls, it's essential that you routinely remove snow from your roof to prevent ice dams, water infiltration, and even roof collapse.
How do you use a roof rake?
0:452:44How To Remove Snow From A Roof - Ace Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou pull this off to expose the roof. And let the Sun. Help you by eliminating that ice that's upMoreYou pull this off to expose the roof. And let the Sun. Help you by eliminating that ice that's up there but what if you've got a big buildup of ice. And you don't know what to do. Well.
How do you get leaves off the roof of the ground?
Use a strong blower, roof rake, or broom to remove dead leaves from your roof. The tools you use for the job entirely depend on the pitch of your roof and what you feel comfortable using. For example, a leaf blower is perfectly fine for blowing leaves off a low-pitched roof.
What is a rake on a house roof?
Defining the Rake of a Roof Specifically, it's the exposed part of a gabled roof that extends from an eave to the ridge of the roof's sloped sides. It covers the top edge of a roof and is typically cut from a variety of roofing materials. Concrete or PVC, cedar, pine, and smartboard are all common candidates.
What is the difference between rake and fascia?
The bottom border of a roof is known as the eaves (often overhanging beyond the edge of the house). Fascia: A ornamental board that extends down from the roof edge at the eave or the rake. Rake: The slanted edge of a gable roof at the house's end wall. The distance between these edges is called the rake of the gable.
What is the difference between gable and rake?
Gable: The A-shaped side wall of the home that forms the peak of the roof is called the Gable. The home above has two gables, one on each end of the home. Rake: The rake of the roof is the part that ends over a gable end.
What is a rake on a metal roof?
Also known as rake trim, gable trim is a finishing piece of metal flashing used along the edges of a metal roof line where the edge of the metal roof panel meets the endwall panels.
Can you use a roof rake in the winter?
Roof rakes have extension poles so you can reach the roof. Don’t use a ladder. They are really unsafe in the winter and it is easy to slip off of them if ice builds up on the rungs or your boots.
Can you use a snowblower on a roof?
Be careful. Don’t fall. And don’ use a snowblower up there, no matter how tempted you may be. You don’t want to add any more weight to your roof.
Does Weather Vane rake roofs?
Below are our recommendations for proper roof raking. However, Weather Vane also offers snow removal on roofs throughout the winter if you prefer to have a professional tackle this wintery task. Call us today to set up the service and we will come out whenever it is necessary.
The details
Ideal for removing snow, wet leaves and debris from roofs without climbing, this telescoping snow rake makes it easy to remove heavy excess snow. It has a Twist-n-Lock telescoping pole that easily adjusts from 6.2 feet to 21 feet for even greater overhead reach.
What is a snow rake?
Snow rakes like the Snow Joe Twist-N-Lock model are tools that are specifically designed to make clearing snow from single-story homes easy. They usually feature a long or telescoping handle and a wide, flat head.
When should I use a snow rake?
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), fresh, fluffy snow typically weighs around three pounds per square foot while wet snow can weigh as much as 21 pounds per square foot.
Defining the Rake of a Roof
The rake of a roof or a roof rake — not to be confused with the tool also called a roof rake — is a part of any gabled roof. Specifically, it’s the exposed part of a gabled roof that extends from an eave to the ridge of the roof’s sloped sides. It covers the top edge of a roof and is typically cut from a variety of roofing materials.
Different Types of Roof Rakes
Roof rakes can sometimes be exposed, such as often seen on cottages or sheds, where the eave’s framing and rafters are left open by design. More common is a closed rake, boxed in by the rake boarding and the soffit (its bottom surface), which is typically about six inches wide and simple in design.
Possible Problems with the Rake of a Roof
The reason it’s a good idea to be familiar with this term is that the rake of a roof can be vulnerable to specific problems that can become expensive inconveniences or even outright compromise the integrity of the roof.
Contact the Experts at Thompson Creek Windows Today
Rely on the experts at Thompson Creek for the highest standards in roof installation and replacements. With over 40 years of experience in providing dependable solutions using the highest quality materials, we’re always happy to help you find the best roofing for your home. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What is a 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. Roof rake blades come in two styles: a scoop (shaped like a traditional snow shovel) or a slicer ...
What is Extreme Max Roof Rake?
The Extreme Max Roof Rake is a scoop-style tool with wheels attached. This gives it an advantage over rakes like the Garant, because it allows you to re-position your rake without lifting it off the roof. This is especially useful for DIYers who might be prone to back strain or fatigue. It also gives a built-in buffer between the rake blade and the roof so the raking motion is almost zero-contact.
What is the advantage of a slicer rake?
But slicer-style rakes often come with a big advantage: a trailing sheet. Snow shoots along the sheet, staying out of gutters and away from shrubs and plants. Beyond the blade, look for a rake that extends far enough to reach your roof line but light enough for you to use comfortably. Here are seven of the best roof rakes available.
What is a slicer blade roof rake?
Slicer-blade roof rakes are designed to be pushed upward, rather than pulled down. Because you’re pushing against the grain, it’s essential that the rake has wheels or coasters to avoid damaging shingles. But slicer-style rakes often come with a big advantage: a trailing sheet.
What is a snow joe rake?
Affordable and convenient, the Snow Joe RJ205M is an aluminum scoop-style rake that’s useful if you need to pull something other than snow off your roof. Notice in the photo that this rake has a lip, allowing it to hook items like leaves or sticks that are embedded in the snow. You’ll need to be careful not to damage your roof in the process. But if you’ve got foreign objects in your snowline, the Snow Joe can snag them along with the snow.
How wide is a Gymax aluminum roof rake?
The GYMAX Aluminum Roof Rake is noteworthy because of its narrow head width. At only 16 inches, it will take longer to work your way across a wide roof. But it’s perfect for fitting into tighter spaces, such as roof valleys or along skylights.
Is Big Rake 2000 good for snow removal?
Big Rake 2000 is a great choice for snow removal. In this instance the handle’s snap-on assembly is a distinct advantage, because it allows you to place the angled connector wherever you need it. You can use it as a straight pole or at various heights before the right-angle bend. Shop Now.
What is a Roof Rake?
It is a metal framework attached to the gable end of your home. It’s used to aid in removing accumulated ice and snow from your roof.
What type of rakes do you need for your roofs and gutters?
Your roof, whether it is a flat roof or sloping roof, will have gutters.
Closure
It is a simple tool that can keep your roof and gutters clean. Aside from that, it is also cheap and easy to use.
What is a roof rake?
Roof rakes come in both metal and plastic. Plastic is lightweight and softer. With less of an impact if you accidentally slip or rake too forcefully, plastic’s kinder to your roof.
Does Yardeen Snow Roof Rake have a snow remover?
What’s not to love about additional features? The Yardeen Snow Roof Rake includes a roof rake snow remover. This product also boasts the best wheel design, so it’s fair that it’s a bit pricier than the others but best protects your roof.
What Is a Roof Rake?
A roof rake is an implement mounted on a long pole that can be used to gently push and pull snow off a roof. When used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, a roof rake is designed to remove snow from a roof without causing damage to shingles, eaves or gutters.
How much snow does a roof need to support?
Don’t let snow build up on your roof. Keep in mind that newer roofs in New York, for example, are required to support up to 30 pounds per square foot of snow. That’s roughly the equivalent of three feet of fresh snow. Or, just one foot of packed snow. Allowing your roof to accumulate more than this puts your property at risk and makes the job of clearing the snow progressively more difficult.
How to clear snow from a roof?
This takes some upper body strength – it’s a surprisingly good workout – but a roof rake is by far the best way to clear snow from your roof. While using your snow rake, remember to stand away from the eave of the house because snow and ice will be falling.
What happens if you have too much snow on your roof?
Too much snow on your roof can cause problems that range from ice dams to roof collapse.
Can you get up on a snow laden roof?
Since it’s extremely dangerous to get up on a slippery, snow-laden roof, reach out to professionals like The Grounds Guys or clear your rooftop the best you can with a snow rake – a long, extending roof-scraping tool that is used from the safety of the ground.
Can you use ice melt on a roof?
Avoid using salt or ice melt blends on your roof. Most ice melt blends will contain salt that can discolor your roof and encourage rusting from roofing nails and subsequent stains.
