For most Kitchener-Waterloo homes the honest answer is: sometimes, from the ground, and only in a few situations. This guide explains when roof raking helps, how to do it without a ladder, when to leave the snow alone, and what fixes the problem for good.
In This Article
The short answer, and the reasons behind it
Roofs are built to carry snow. Most houses shed or hold a normal winter load without any help, so raking is not routine maintenance. It is a response to two specific problems: ice building along the eave, and unusually heavy loads. It also has costs. A rake can scuff shingles, drop snow and ice on whoever is standing below, and put a person within reach of powerlines. Every rake session should be a deliberate decision, not a reflex after each snowfall.
Many homeowners rake because it feels like prevention. The safer prevention happens in the attic and at the eave, in the fall, long before the snow arrives.
When raking helps, and when it does not
| Situation | Rake? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A ridge of ice or heavy icicles forming at the eave | Yes, from the ground | Clearing the snow above the eave gives meltwater less to feed the dam |
| Heavy, wet snow on a low-slope or flat roof, with signs of strain | Call a professional | That is a structural question, not a raking one |
| Ordinary snow on a steep roof with no ice at the eave | Usually not | It will slide or melt, and raking risks the shingles for little gain |
| Ice already frozen into a solid sheet | No | A rake will not shift it, and chipping damages shingles |
| A roof edge under powerlines or beside the service mast | No | Nothing is worth working inside a safe distance from a live line |
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How to rake safely, step by step
- Look up first. Find any overhead powerlines and the service mast. The Electrical Safety Authority advises keeping ladders and tools at least 3 metres from overhead lines. If you cannot stay clear, skip the job.
- Use a purpose-made roof rake with a long handle and wheels or skids that ride above the shingles, so that your feet stay on the ground. Never rake from a ladder or from the roof.
- Dress for falling snow. Wear a hard hat, eye protection and boots with real grip, and expect snow and ice to slide.
- Stand to the side of the eave, not under it, and keep everyone else out of the drop zone.
- Pull the snow down in short strokes, working over the lowest metre or so of roof. Leave a thin layer behind so you do not scrape the shingles.
- Stop when it stops moving. If the snow is bonded to ice, forcing it tears the roof surface.
- Clean up the drop zone, so that it does not become a slip hazard or bury a downspout, meter or vent.
Icicles and the drop zone under the eave
Big icicles look dramatic, but they are not a reason to climb or to swing at them. Falling ice is a hazard in its own right, and the spot beneath the eave is where it lands.
- Keep people and pets away from the ground beneath heavy icicles and from doorways under a rooftop ice ridge.
- Move parked cars, bins and decorations out of the drop zone.
- Leave large icicles above an entrance to a professional with fall protection, rather than knocking them down yourself.
- Photograph the eave. Repeated icicles in the same spot tell a roofer where heat is escaping.
Signs you should call someone instead
No single snow depth tells you when a roof is in trouble. Wet, dense snow and ice weigh far more than the same depth of dry powder, so watch for the effects instead.
- Sagging ceilings or a visibly bowed roofline.
- New cracks in drywall, especially near corners and doorframes.
- Doors or windows that suddenly stick.
- Creaking or popping sounds from the structure.
- Water stains or drips that were not there last week.
If you see any of these, stay out from under the affected area and contact a structural engineer or a qualified roofer. In an emergency, call 911. Professionals doing roof snow removal use fall protection and carry insurance, so ask for proof of both. The guide to roof snow removal: when and how goes into more detail.
Fix the cause so you rake less
Raking treats the symptom. Ice dams come from heat escaping into the attic and melting the snow above it, so air sealing, insulation and ventilation are the lasting fix. The snow and ice damage prevention guide covers that side of the problem.
Keep the eavestroughs clear before the freeze, so meltwater has a path out. D&D Home Services offers gutter cleaning from $125 for typical Kitchener-Waterloo homes, and the crew is Working at Heights certified. With the roof edge clear and the attic sealed, most winters need little or no raking.
Key Takeaways
- Roof raking answers two problems, ice building at the eave and unusually heavy loads, and it is not routine maintenance.
- Rake only from the ground, keep tools at least 3 metres from powerlines, and never work from a ladder or the roof in winter.
- Sagging ceilings, sticking doors, new drywall cracks or creaking sounds mean a professional should look at the roof.
- Air sealing, insulation and ventilation in the attic fix the cause of ice dams, so you rake less.
Sources & References
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