Even this winter, the snow is coming down with authority, and if this nor’easter comes down later today, there will be a new accumulation of 12 inches or more. By this time next week, we expect at least another foot on top of that.
As a native New Englander, I’m ready. We have shovels, sand and a guy who comes to plow our long driveway. But what catches my attention is more. In winterI’m passionate about my roof — and a simple tool that has become an invaluable aid in maintaining my house properly and on time cold weather.
My roof.
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Not much to look at. Sixteen feet of aluminum pole with a perpendicular 22-inch-wide blue plastic blade at one end. But it makes a big difference in keeping the melting snow from turning into streams of water leaking around the house. That will damage the walls, ceiling, lights and everything else under the drip, drip, drip. Over time, it may become a fungal problem.
Inside your house, leak detectors they are useful gadgets for all kinds of water mishaps, but prevention is always the best policy.
If you live in an area that is in the path of snowy winter weather, be aware of the structure on your roof. In a sense, snow on the roof is a good thing. It shows that you have enough insulation in your roof and attic to prevent warm air from escaping, as well as proper ventilation to help keep the roof cool.
But that snow will melt, releasing water that flows up to your ears and mountains. And that’s where the problem starts.
The winter of 2015 was brutal in Massachusetts, with nearly 90 inches of snow falling in less than a month. That year, the ice dams won.
As that water reaches the edge of your roof, it is more exposed to colder temperatures and will refreeze, creating ice dams. Those frozen layers will build up and prevent subsequent waves of meltwater from falling harmlessly onto your roof. Where does that water go? It retreats under your shingles and roof decking, following a new path of gravity in your living spaces.
I have seen this leak. I fixed the damage. I swore it would never happen again.
That’s why I’m outside after it snows, I’m walking.
There are no really compelling technical fixes for this problem. There is no The Roomba on your roof. Whole roof heating systems are available, but they cost thousands of dollars and are a significant construction project. Here in New England, it’s common to see homes with a heating coil that snakes out of the lower part of the roof, just above the eaves. But for my house, even that modest option would run somewhere between $1,000 and $2,000 to install.
With any heating system, there will be ongoing electricity costs and a potentially complicated defrost and refreeze cycle.
A roof rake will set you back less than $200and maybe not even half that much. It’s low tech, and it works.
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The correct way to use a roof rake
I’ve been using my roof after a snow storm, even a small one, during many snowy winters here in central Massachusetts.
I had to learn the hard way. Before I bought my roof machine, I followed the snow dams themselves, after they were already very thick, and the water was dripping, sometimes violently, into the house. I was outside on the stairs, in the cold, having a whale of a time. It’s not the way to go.
This is me, removing the roof after a refreshingly light snowfall.
A roof rake is very quick and easy — and again, that’s the most important point of prevention. Stand on the ground, raise your hand and pull a large shovelful of snow from the roof. Take a step or two and repeat the process. In light to moderate snow, I’ll get around my house in about 20 minutes. With a heavy, icy build-up, it takes me about twice as long.
Note that it can be a workout for your arms and shoulders. The rake doesn’t weigh much, but it’s heavy, and you reach up and away from your body. If the snow is big, wet, crusty or all of the above, you will have to put in more effort with each stroke.
But if you’re used to the often-breaking work of shoveling snow, you’ll welcome the change of pace.
How much snow do you have to break? The instructions I’ve read recommend removing about 6 feet from the eaves, and when I first ripped my roof, I used to go as far as I could. If I hadn’t hit that 6 foot mark, I would have come close.
Over time, however, I’ve found that just 1 to 2 feet is enough. That is a critical area, right next to the vents, where glaciers and ice dams occur.
The instructions also advise to go easy when scrubbing down the roof shingles, so you don’t wear them out prematurely. I have to admit that I’m not a quick person — I tend to drag along the shingles themselves, rather than trying to leave a thin layer of snow — and it doesn’t seem to be a problem.
And for heaven’s sake, remember where the electrical wires enter your house. He is waving a metal pole in the air after all.
Remember to wear heavy duty gloves when roofing. The aluminum pole is very cold to the touch.
How to buy a roof rake
Like leaf rakes, roof rakes do not have many types. A standard the roof rake it comes with a four-foot length of aluminum pole that you attach to the end for full length, as well as a short blade attachment. (Mine is about three feet long, plus half a blade.) The width of the blade varies between 17 and 24 inches.
The 16 foot height I have is enough for my house, raised farm, even on the side where the ground slopes down and I can get the first foot or so of snow on the edge of the roof. If you have a long house or really want to be clear on top, you can get more sections. The blade part of my pole faces the ceiling, which is helpful.
Some racks have it small wheels under the blade to avoid scraping directly on the shingles. It seems like a smart design.
Other the roof racks they are not rakes at all. Instead of having a blade, the business end is open, with prongs holding one end of the plastic slide that fits the pole. You push on the snow, and the slide provides a smooth runway for the snow to fall to the ground. I’ve never tried one of these, but having spent enough time using a regular roof rack, I have my doubts. It seems to be very suitable for powder.
Prices for roof racks typically range from $50 to $60 and can go as high as $200. Years ago, I bought a very basic model, and it’s still going strong — a great investment.
Days went by when I actually went up to my roof and tried to shovel more than tear. Honestly, that was a fairytale winter. In 2015, New England experienced four major snowstorms in less than a month, dumping nearly 90 inches of snow in that short period. No one could keep up.
But short of another “Snowmagedon,” I know the roof rake will continue to serve me well. Whenever there’s snow, we’ll both go outside to start shoveling.
