How to Make a Rake for Removing Snow From the Roof

During the winter months it's important that you keep your roof as clear of snow as possible. Many homes are designed with sloping roofs so that snow naturally falls off, but sometimes you simply have too much snow, or your roof isn't slanted enough, and you run the risk of snow damaging your home. If you make yourself a roof rake, you can brush the snow off your roof and eliminate this risk.

Things You'll Need

• Aluminum pole
• Marker
• Drill driver
• 2 angle brackets, 4 inch
• Metal plate, 22 inches wide and 6 inches high
• Bolts
• Nuts
• Wrench

Instructions

1. Press the brackets against the base of the aluminum pole. Mark where the bracket boltholes meet the pole. Drill holes through the pole, because that's where you're going to put the bolts to hold the brackets to the pole. Once the holes are drilled, thread the bolts through the brackets and the aluminum pole. Attach the nuts to the bolts and tighten with a wrench. Make sure that the brackets are flush with the end of the pole, because the bracket is going to be used to hold the metal plate you will use as the rake.

2. Center the metal plate against the angled brackets. Mark where the holes in the bracket meet the plate and then drill holes in the metal plate. Bolt the plate in place. Attach nuts to the bolts and tighten with the wrench. Try to wiggle the plate to make sure that it's held on securely.

3. Rake snow off your roof. Once you've attached the brackets and the plate, you essentially have a miniature plow that you can use to push or pull snow off your roof.

Tips & Warnings

• For hard-to-reach places, you should get an extendable aluminum pole. Average poles will be roughly 4 feet in length, the size of an average shovel handle, but if you get a threaded aluminum pole then you can attach extensions and reach farther. For those who will be raking from the ground rather than from on the roof, this might be an ideal solution.

• If you're going to rake snow off a roof while you are on the roof, use extreme caution. You could also stand on a ladder set against the house and pull the snow toward you, but be sure your ladder is clear from the drop zone of the snow. Otherwise you might push yourself over.

References

• Hungry VT: Make a Roof Rake for Under $15
• Walmart: Roof Rake