How to Remove Snow From a Roof

Snow on a roof can get so heavy that the roof could cave in. After a big snow or a blizzard, it is very important to relieve the pressure on the roof by removing excess snow. This can be a dangerous job, so take safety precautions and work in pairs by using the following steps.

Instructions

1. Use a rake. Add a rake extender to the rake if needed. A painter's supply store will have a paint brush extender that will work just as well. Stand at the base of the house just far enough away to not get buried by snow. Place the rake as far up the roof as possible, then pull. The snow should slide off the roof.

2. Climb up on the roof with spiked shoes and shovel the roof. This is the most difficult and tiresome manner, but it does the job. A person should secure himself or work from a ladder held by a second person. Start at the top of the roof and move downward.

3. Push the snow off the roof with a large push broom. Wear spiked shoes for added traction. Start at the roof peak and push the snow off after a big snow. Get to the snow before it freezes over.

4. Use a cutting wire. The Philips Snow Cutter is a rake-like tool that has a wire that runs across one side of the rake. A person places the wire side down on top of the roof and pulls down the rake. The wire cuts through the snow. Then, use the other side of the rake-like tool. The other side of the snow cutter has a solid piece of plastic that pulls off the remaining snow that was cut by the wire.