Best Roof Snow Rake: Reach, Blade and Handle Material
How to choose a roof rake you can use from the ground, how much snow is too much, and how to rake without damaging shingles.
A roof rake lets you pull snow off the lower part of the roof from the ground, which removes the snow that feeds ice dams and takes weight off the roof. The best one is long enough to reach past the eaves from a safe standing spot, light enough to lift for an hour, and made with a handle that is not a hazard near power lines.
This guide compares the main rake designs and the gear that goes with them, and uses our snow load calculator to show how heavy a deep, wet snowfall really is.
Compared by type
Pros and cons describe each type from its specifications; this is not a hands-on product test. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Telescoping pull rake
Best for: Single-storey eaves and most homeowners. Check: Maximum reach, blade width and handle material.
Pros
Adjusts to the reach you need, collapses for storage
Pulls snow straight down off the eave
Often has rollers or bumpers that keep the blade off the shingles
Cons
Snow falls toward you — stand clear of the drop zone
Heavy at full extension
Aluminium handles conduct electricity
Slide-style roof rake
Best for: Deep, heavy snow and longer eaves. Check: Slide length and how the frame cuts into the snow.
Pros
Cuts snow loose and slides it down a chute — less lifting
Clears large areas quickly
Snow lands away from the operator
Cons
Bulkier to store
Needs practice to use on a pitch
Less effective on thin, icy layers
Roof ice melt
Best for: Opening a drainage channel through an existing ice dam. Check: Calcium chloride (not rock salt).
Pros
Opens a channel so trapped water can drain
No climbing needed when placed with a rake
Works where cable was not installed
Cons
Treats the symptom only
Runoff can harm plants and some metals below
Rock salt damages shingles and gutters
Roof and gutter heat cable
Best for: Eaves that dam every winter. Check: Kit length and a GFCI-protected outlet.
Pros
Keeps channels open automatically
No going out in storms
Covers gutters and downspouts too
Cons
Must be installed before winter
Running cost
Does not remove snow load
What to look for
Reach. You need to clear the first 3 to 4 feet above the eaves — the zone over the unheated overhang where ice dams form — while standing well back from the drop zone. Measure from where you will stand to that point along the pitch.
Handle material. Fibreglass or plastic sections are safer near overhead lines than aluminium. Stay well clear of power lines with any rake.
Blade protection. Rollers, bumpers or a raised blade leave an inch of snow on the roof so the shingles and granules are not scraped.
Weight at full extension. A long aluminium pole is heavy when it is holding wet snow; try the weight before a storm.
Storage. Telescoping and sectional handles fit in a garage; a fixed long pole does not.
How heavy is the snow on your roof?
Fresh powder is light; wet, packed snow and ice are several times heavier per inch. Our snow load calculator estimates the load for your roof — the example below uses the same function.
Worked example: 18 in of fresh snow on a 1,500 sq ft roof at 4/12
Estimated load: 20 lb per sq ft
Total weight on the roof: about 30,375 lb (15.2 tons)
Against a 30 psf roof rating: 68% of capacity
Even light, fresh snow is a real load at this depth. Packed or wet snow weighs several times more per inch — run your own depth and snow type in the calculator, and rake the lower roof before a second storm or rain adds to it.
Signs of overload — new ceiling cracks, sagging, doors that stick — mean call a professional and stay out from under that part of the roof.
Safety notes
Rake from the ground. Climbing onto a snow-covered roof or a ladder in winter is how most snow-removal injuries happen.
Look up before you start: keep every part of the rake well clear of overhead power lines, and do not use a metal handle near them.
Stand outside the drop zone. Snow and ice sliding off the eave can knock you down or bury you.
Leave a thin layer on the shingles. Scraping to bare shingles strips granules and can lift tabs in the cold.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a roof rake be?
Long enough to clear the first 3 to 4 feet above your eaves while you stand clear of the drop zone. For most single-storey homes that is a rake reaching about 16 to 21 feet; taller eaves need more.
Do roof rakes damage shingles?
They can if the blade scrapes the surface. Choose a rake with rollers or bumpers and leave an inch or so of snow on the roof.
When should I rake snow off my roof?
After heavy falls, before the snow turns to ice, and especially on eaves that have had ice dams before. Wet, deep snow is the priority because of its weight.
Is a roof rake better than heat cable?
They do different jobs. A rake removes snow load and the snow that feeds ice dams; heat cable keeps drainage channels open. Many cold-climate homes use both, while fixing insulation and ventilation for the long term.
Can I use rock salt on my roof?
No. Rock salt damages shingles, gutters, flashing and plants. Use calcium chloride products made for roofs, and only to open a drainage channel.