The best and safest way to remove snow from your roof is to stay on the ground and use a long-handled roof rake. The trick is to pull the snow down from the eaves and valleys of your roof without ever setting foot on it.
If you have a taller house, a steeply pitched roof, or see any signs of structural strain, it’s best to hire a professional to do the job.
5 Ways to Remove Snow From Your Roof
1. Use a Roof Rake
Best for: Pitched roofs on one or two-story homes and clearing snow from the eaves to prevent ice dams
Number of people needed: For safety, it’s best to have a second person act as a spotter
Cost: $50 to $180
Supplies Needed: A roof rake with wheels or bumpers on the blade to protect shingles
A roof rake allows you to remove snow from your roof without the hassle of climbing a ladder. Roof rakes are aluminum poles with extendable handles that give you a reach of around 20 feet.
Rex Wisdom, owner of Heritage Roofing & Repair, advises homeowners to “Work from the ground with a roof rake that has rollers on the blade. Pull snow down in vertical strips starting at the eaves, never horizontal scraping.”
Eli Hita, managing partner at Zev Roofing, Storm Recovery, & Construction Group, LLC, offers a specific technique for shingle roofs: “For homes with asphalt shingles in our region, I tell clients to focus on the valleys first, not the ridges. Snow accumulates in valleys at 3-4x the depth of flat sections, creating ice dams that back up water under your flashing. Never drag sideways across shingles or you’ll tear the granules off.”
For raking your roof:
- Use the rake to knock snow off your roof.
- Start at the edges and move slowly upward.
- Clear away snow one foot at a time to avoid starting an avalanche off your roof.
| Pro tip: Wisdom recommends that you should “Stop pulling when you’re 3-4 feet from the rake’s maximum reach. Overextending causes the pole to flex, and you lose control or hit power lines.” If you can’t reach enough of your roof from the ground, get a ladder for leverage. Just make sure that the ladder is secure and have an assistant hold the ladder for you. |
2. Use a Rope
Best for: Single-story homes with a pitched roof and light, fluffy snow
Number of people needed: This method works best with two people
Cost: $10 to $30
Supplies Needed: A long polyester rope that is resistant to moisture and a small weighted object to help throw it over the roof
Clearing snow with a rope works best for single-story homes. So if you have a two-story house, this method won’t work. It also doesn’t work for flat roofs or heavy, icy snow.
The rope method works best with two people.
- Tie something heavy to one end of the rope.
- Toss the rope over your roof.
- Your helper grabs the end of the rope you threw and walks it back to you.
- The rope should have dug into the snow. With a sawing motion, pull on both ends of the rope to dislodge the snow from your roof.
- Watch out! You don’t want falling snow to bury you, so pick a good place to stand.
To do the rope method yourself:
- Throw the rope’s midsection on top of your roof, keeping hold of both tips of the rope.
- Hold both ends of the rope.
- Use a sawing motion to pull snow off the roof.
Use a rope that is long enough to reach your roof. It also should give you extra room to stay out of the path of sliding and falling snow. Polyester rope is usually the best choice for snowy conditions, as it is resistant to moisture and abrasion.
3. Use a Wire
Best for: Pitched or lean-to roofs
Number of people needed: This method works best with two people
Cost: $10 to $30
Supplies Needed: A piece of wire long enough to cover a significant portion of your roof
Removing snow from your roof with a wire is similar to removing snow with a rope. A wire has the advantage of being stiffer and stronger than a rope. You’ll need a piece of wire long enough to cover a significant portion of your roof.
To remove snow with a wire:
- Keep hold of the ends of the wire.
- Throw the midsection of the wire on top of your roof.
- Move backward while holding onto both ends of the wire. This should knock the snow off the roof.
Removing snow with a wire works best if you have a pitched or lean-to roof.
4. Use a Shovel
Best for: Flat roofs, but it’s extremely dangerous as it requires getting on the roof
Number of people needed: For safety, it’s best to have a second person act as a spotter
Cost: $20 to $30
Supplies Needed: A plastic shovel
Never use a metal shovel for clearing your roof. A metal shovel is sharp and can scratch or damage the roof, especially areas that are weak or worn. If you are planning to use a shovel for snow removal, make sure it is a plastic shovel.
According to Hita, homeowners with metal roofs should keep in mind that “The real danger isn’t the snow itself, but the standing seam clips underneath. If you have a metal roof with concealed fasteners, every shovel strike risks loosening those clips, and you won’t know until spring when water starts running down your interior walls.”
To shovel your roof:
- Always stay at least a yard away from the edge of the roof.
- Only shovel snow from the middle of the roof.
- Retain a 3-foot barrier of snow at the edge of the roof.
- If you slip and fall, the 3-foot barrier of snow around the rim of your roof will act as a safety net to help prevent your fall.
The problem with shoveling snow off your roof is that it requires you to climb onto your slippery roof, which is very dangerous. Shoveling works best on flat roofs, but climbing up on flat roofs in the snow is still dangerous.
5. Use a Snowblower or Leaf Blower
Best for: Blowing away light, fluffy snow from the ground
Number of people needed: One
Cost: $100 to $300
Supplies Needed: A backpack snowblower or leaf blower
If you have a snowblower or leaf blower, you can blow off the snow. It may not blow away all the snow, but it’s a quick way to blast some of the snow off your roof from the ground.
To use a blower for roof snow:
- Only use this method for light, dry, powdery snow. The blower won’t be effective for wet, heavy, or icy snow.
- Always use the blower from a safe position on the ground. Never use it while you’re on a ladder or walking around on the roof.
- Do your best to point the nozzle down the slope of the roof. If you blow air upwards, it could lift and damage the shingles.
- Be aware of which way the wind is blowing so you avoid snow blowing right back at you.
The big limits on using a blower are that it can’t handle a lot of heavy snow. There’s also a risk that if you get on a ladder for better reach, the blower could easily make you lose your balance and fall.
Methods to Avoid
Avoid sharp tools: Be careful what tools you select because sharp or abrasive tools can damage your roof. Sharp objects such as ice picks should never be used to remove snow unless you want to cause costly damage to your roof.
Avoid salt and harsh chemicals: Harsh chemicals are a bane to your roof. Don’t use harsh chemicals since they can cause roof leaks or result in costly roof damage. Don’t use salt either. Salt is a corrosive substance that will damage and discolor your roof.
Don’t use heat: Tools such as heat guns or open flame devices are a bad idea for removing snow from a roof. They can cause fires or snow avalanches off your roof if the snow melts too quickly.
Wisdom says: “A mistake we see constantly in Arkansas storms: homeowners use heat cables or salt pucks to melt ice dams, which just floods the problem deeper into your roof deck. We had a commercial client in Harrison lose $14,000 in ceiling damage because salt melt refroze inside the roof membrane overnight when temperatures dropped.”
Don’t get on the roof: Wisdom says that you should “Never walk on a snow-covered roof to shovel it. You can’t see where valleys, vents, or soft spots are. Last winter, we got called to a Berryville church where a maintenance guy stepped through rotted decking hidden under 8 inches of snow.”
Safety Tips
Consider the health risks: I was curious and wanted to know a doctor’s opinion on the physical toll of this work. Dr. Edward Espinosa, owner of OptumMD, had this to say: “Shoveling snow is way more dangerous than people think, especially if you have heart trouble. The cold and sudden effort can be a terrible combination, and I’ve seen the results. Hire someone if you can. It’s just not worth the risk.”
Dress for the snow: Always be prepared, especially in wintry conditions that pose health risks. Bundle up in whatever you need to stay warm or to protect yourself from falling snow and sharp ice, including boots, coats, gloves, and hats.
Find an assistant: For snow removal, you should have a partner. Some methods only work with two people, and you also want a person nearby in case there is an emergency or you need help.
Use a ladder safely: Using a ladder in snowy conditions can be extremely dangerous. If you do use a ladder, have a partner hold it for you, watch out for ice buildup on the rungs, and take your time.
Stay grounded: Stay on the ground and don’t climb on your roof if you don’t have to.
Keep away from falling snow: Be aware of your position and stay away enough from the edge of your roof and out of the way of falling snow. Falling icicles are another hazard to watch out for.
Don’t scrape your roof: Trying to scrape snow off your roof could damage or scratch your roof. Leave behind a couple of inches of snow just to be on the safe side.
Watch out for power lines: If your home is located next to power lines, watch out if you are using a long-handled tool like a roof rake.
Prepare your home for winter: Snow removal is just one part of getting your home ready for the cold. Read our guide on How to Winterize a House for a complete checklist.
FAQ About Removing Snow from Your Roof
Heavy snow can be a significant issue for some homes. Most roofs are designed to handle a snow load of about 20 pounds per square foot. A rule of thumb is to clear off snow once more than a foot of heavy snow has accumulated.
If you’re dealing with ice, read our guides on Methods to Remove Ice Dams From Your Home’s Gutters.
Snow removal should be done immediately after a storm. Newly fallen snow is soft and not too compact and hasn’t had time to transform into a heavy layer of ice.
For the DIY route, all you need is to invest in a roof rake. If you prefer to hire a pro, expect to shell out between $190 and $735 per visit for an average-sized home. Keep in mind that larger roofs or several feet worth of snow may bump those costs up higher.
It’s generally a good idea to play it safe and let nature handle the snow. If waiting isn’t an option, you can use a snow broom or a foam rake. The soft head on these types of tools makes them less likely to cause damage.
A mixture of water and vinegar can remove snow and ice. Vinegar is acidic, so if it is not properly diluted, it can damage a roof.
When in Doubt, Hire It Out
From roof rakes to snowblowers, there are several different ways you can knock the snow down from your roof. If you are unsure or uncomfortable about DIY snow removal or if you have back problems or heart conditions, then hire a professional roofer for the job. Both roofing experts I spoke with made this clear:
Wisdom says, “If your roof is steep-pitched (6/12 or higher), don’t touch it yourself. In 2022, we replaced three roofs in Berryville where DIYers fell through skylights they couldn’t see under the snow. Two ended up hospitalized.”
Hita agrees: “If you’re on a two-story structure or your roof pitch is above 6:12, don’t attempt this yourself. I’ve responded to three emergency calls this winter alone where homeowners fell through skylights buried under snow because they couldn’t see what they were stepping on. Our crews use harness anchor points rated for 5,000 pounds. If you don’t have that equipment, the risk isn’t worth it.”
If snow removal is a job that you’d rather leave in the hands of a professional, we can help. Find a snow removal company to clear your roof today.
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Main Image: A person is actively shoveling snow off a roof with a large black shovel. Photo Credit: Gints / Adobe Stock
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