Roof Snow Shovels The Best Tools for Clearing Snow from Your Roof
Roof snow shovels are shovels or rakes that are used to remove snow from roofs. These are like snow shovels but are used in an inverted way to simply scrape against the roof surface and bring the snow downwards, letting it fall from the roof instead of scooping it up. While snow on the ground can be easily removed using electric or gas-powered snow blowers with wheels, snow on the roof is a totally different challenge altogether.
Thus, these snow roof rakes are necessities for every household.
Roof rakes will cost you a bit more than regular snow shovels because of their specialized use. Prices range on average from $50 to $70, depending on brand, model, and size.
One of the most important things about a roof rake is the reach. The reach determines how far the rake can reach; this is usually measured in foot based on the length of the handle. This doesn’t normally matter when you’re shopping for regular snow shovels, but it very important when it comes to roof shovels. Make sure to choose a model with a good reach so it can clean your roof thoroughly without you having to reach too far out; let the roof rake do all the reaching and cleaning.
One of the most popular roof snow shovels on the market is the Suncast SRR2100, a snow roof rake that can remove snow from your roof. The shovel has an average-sized 24-inch blade, which is sufficient for removing snow from average-sized roofs in very little time. The blade is attached to a handle that spans 20 feet and 3 3/8 inches, which is a good on-the-average reach.
The Suncast SRR2100’s blade is made of graphite that prevents snow from sticking on its surface.
This helps protect the blade and keep the shovel well-maintained. The handle, on the other hand, is made of aluminum, which is known for its durability and lightweight nature. Thus, the snow roof rake is light but sturdy and can be expected to last long.
As a bonus, the shovel and rake combo comes with 4 pieces of snap connector sections, even at its affordable price of around $50 to $60.
Bearing similar specs as the Suncast model but with a different design, the Garelick 89421 snow roof rake is another popular model in the roof snow shovels market. This has an aluminum make, which means it is light but durable. It also has a 24-inch blade and a 21-foot reach plus 4 easy snap-together sections, but it is cheaper with its price of around $70.
The Garelick 89421 is also designed so that it clears away snow effectively but it won’t damage roof shingles. It also prevents the formation of ice dams, which are problematic well of water that forms under the shingles and can ruin roofs in the long run. The effective and safe functionality of this snow roof shovel is thanks to Garelick’s patented Shingle Saver rollers, a unique system in which the blade does not touch the surface of the roof to prevent damage while you roll the rake back up the roof freely and smoothly.
If you want a cheaper one and don’t mind a shorter reach, check out the Garant GPRR24 Yukon Snow Roof Rake from Garant, a popular brand of snow removal tools. Compared to other popular roof snow shovels, this model is shorter. It has a 16 foot reach; the handle is aluminum to make the tool lightweight.
The handle is then attached to a poly blade with a 24-inch clearing span. The poly blade is one of the most popular types or blade materials used in snow removal shovels. It is durable, lightweight, and best of all, it does not allow snow to stick to its surface, thus reducing the need for maintenance. As a roof rake, the poly material also does not damage the roof surface. This is cheaper at under $50, but is definitely no less effective.
Which Snow Roof Rake Size is Best for You?
As with snow removal shovels and snow blowers, the clearing width is an important factor in choosing roof snow shovels. Using a wider roof rake means it will shorten the task of removing snow from your roof since a single pass will cover a larger space. But this does not mean you should get the widest model there is. You need to find a model whose size is suitable for the size of your roof. If you pick the right model, you will need less time and less effort to clean your roof.
