Snow Rake eliminates Ice Dam worries
Written: Feb 25 '05 (Updated Feb 25 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to store, easy to use, safeguards your home from winter water damage.
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: Homeowners in snow country need this to protect their homes from winter ice dam damage.
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| dave_corbitt's Full Review: Garelick Roof Rake 89416 |
Snow Rake
Do you live in a snowy area? Do you own a house? If you answered yes to both these questions, then you probably could use a snow rake whether you realize it or not.
In snow country, snow on the roof can be a problem but most likely not for the reason you are thinking. It isn’t the weight of the snow that usually causes problems. If you live in an area where temperatures can fluctuate up and down causing successive thaws and freezes then the snow on your roof will start to melt, then refreeze, then melt again. What happens then is the part of your roof that overhangs the main part of your house will freeze first when the temperature dips and create an ice dam blocking the meltwater from parts upslope. The blocked water looks for the easiest way out and unfortunately, that may be through your roof’s shingles, in to the attic, and down through your ceiling or walls. The subsequent water damage can be costly. More recently installed roofing calls for a layer of Ice Dam waterproofing material under roofing shingles to prevent this kind of damage but even in some of those cases, if the snow buildup is deep on your roof, the best way to prevent water damage from freeze/thaw/freeze cycles is to remove the snow from the roof from the first 4 or 5 feet on the leading edge. That then eliminates any chance of an ice dam building up and backing up meltwater. To do this, some ingenious manufacturers have created long handled Snow Rakes.
I’ve used the Garelick Roof Rake 89416 and it is reasonably priced, available at local hardware stores in snow country, and breaks down easily for easy storage. The “blade” on the rake has wheels on the bottom to eliminate any damage to roofing shingles while using it. The handle is real long and the 3 poles that make up the handle clip together easily so you can reach the roof while standing on the ground. You can purchase additional pole sections to extend the handle but normally a 3 pole handle is about 16’ long, long enough to reach the roof on a ranch house. If yours is taller, get more poles and extend the handle. Everything is made of lightweight aluminum so the whole thing is easy to handle. The wheels are actually rollers that lift the bottom of the “blade” just enough off the roof to let the whole thing glide easily. This “rake” is a nicely designed, low tech solution to what could be a costly repair if all that snow is left on the roof.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dave_corbitt
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Member: Dave Corbitt
Location: North Central NJ
Reviews written: 64
Trusted by: 111 members
About Me:
Home theater addict, sand sculptor, gardening, travel, video engineer in high end post
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