Best Roof Rake For Snow And Debris
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JamesLast updated:
February 10, 2022WINNER
True Temper
Material: Plastic
Length: 17 feet
Weight: 4.8 pounds
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RUNNER UP
EVERSPROUT
Material: Aluminum, foam
Length: 12 feet
Weight: 2.79 pounds
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BEST FOR BUDGET
Snow Joe
Material: Aluminum
Length: 21 feet
Weight: 4.8 pounds
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Keeping your roof clean is important otherwise debris and other substances, like snow, can damage it and shorten its lifespan.
Choosing the right roof rake is important. You need to ensure that the rake is tall enough so that you can reach your roof.
Is a roof rake really necessary?
Clearing away snow from your roof is time-consuming and can be difficult with just the use of a ladder. A tall roof rake can help you clean your roof without having to climb onto it – you can clean your roof from the ground.
It will therefore keep you safe while getting the job done, and many roof rakes on the market offer extra protection for your roof so you don’t damage it.
With this in mind, let’s explore some of the best roof rakes on the market. We’ll start with one that’s a must to purchase if you regularly have to remove snow from your roof.
Best Overall: True Temper Telescoping Snow Roof Rake
Short summary
This roof rake is ideal for removing snow from your roof, but you can also use it for other purposes. It’s made out of lightweight but durable aluminum that’s easy to hold or carry but won’t have a short lifespan.
It’s designed with a 24-inch poly snow removal blade that’s resistant to extreme temperatures. The rake is also resistant to bending and damage, so it’s one of the best roof rakes to purchase if you’re looking for a quality product that you’ll be able to use for several years.
With a length of 17 feet, this telescopic roof rake will allow you to reach your one-story roof without a problem, as this type of house is about 10 feet in height.
For increased ease of use, this roof rake comes with a telescopic push-button handle so you will find it easy to maneauvre, even if your roof is the kind that doesn’t give you easy access to all its sections.
One of the best features about this roof rake is that it has an oval-shaped handle. This allows you to grip and hold it more comfortably during use.
Quick Facts
- Material: Plastic
- Length: 17 feet
- Weight: 4.8 pounds
Pros
- This roof rake comes with a poly end grip with a hole so you can hang it up for storage.
- Its oval handle makes the rake stronger and sturdier than a round one.
- This roof rake extends smoothly and then locks into place at the length you require.
- Its design makes it easy to move around, such as around solar panels.
- The handle of the rake offers good grip, which will make it easy to remove snow from difficult-to-reach spots.
Cons
- Some people have reported that this roof rake is difficult to assemble.
- The rake doesn’t come with clear instructions on how to use it.
- Others have mentioned that they didn’t receive all the parts in the pack.
Runner Up: EVERSPROUT Never-Scratch SnowBuster
Short summary
This is a roof rake that you can use on the roof of your home or car as it’s made with foam material that doesn’t damage any surfaces. Its foam is soft yet strong, though, so it will get the job done.
This best roof rake for snow has a unique S-shape design for push-pull removal action when eliminating snow from your roof. The pole of the rake is made out of aluminum that’s strong but lightweight, so it’s easy to handle, even if you have a lot of snow to remove. It can extend up to 12 feet long and it reaches up to 18 feet in height, giving you more than enough ability to reach the top of your home.
Using this SnowBuster roof rake is easy because of how it only weighs 1.5 pounds, so it’s easy for anyone to handle. It’s got a non-slip hand grip so that it won’t slip out of your hands during use. It also has a free flip-tab locking mechanism, which means that it won’t get stuck and cause you frustration.
Quick Facts
- Material: Aluminum, foam
- Length: 12 feet
- Weight: 2.79 pounds
Pros
- This roof rake has an easy twist-on design that’s easy to use.
- It’s resistant to rust, so it will last you for a long time.
- You can use it safely on a variety of surfaces, and it’s ideal for your home roof, RV roof, boats, solar panels, and even your windows.
- It has double-hand grips that are made out of non-slip EVA foam.
- It has a threaded tip that can fit a variety of twist-on tools, making it versatile.
Cons
- Some people have mentioned that this roof rake is not suitable for clearing away ice.
- Its foam pad slips off sometimes, which is frustrating.
- You might have to do a few passes with this rake to remove snow.
Best for Budget: Snow Joe Snow Shovel Roof Rake
Short summary
You won’t have to climb up onto your roof when you have to clean it, whether you want to remove snow, debris, or wet leaves, because this best roof rake offers a length of 21 feet!
This best snow roof rake has a clever twist-and-lock telescoping pole design that can be adjusted up to 21 feet for extended reach. It has a clearing width of 25 inches, so it’s great for cleaning both one- and double-story homes.
This rake comes with all the screws you need for quick and easy assembly. When purchasing this rake from Amazon, you can choose between a poly (plastic) blade or aluminum blade, but the latter is a bit more expensive.
The plastic blade could be a good idea for you to buy because it’s gentler on your roof, therefore preventing any damage to its roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles. Similarly, if you have an old roof that already has a bit of damage, using this best rated roof rake will prevent further damage being done.
Quick Facts
- Material: Aluminum
- Length: 21 feet
- Weight: 4.8 pounds
Pros
- This rake’s telescoping handle can be extended easily and it locks securely.
- It has a rubberized grip so you don’t have to worry about losing grip during strenuous tasks.
- Its grip also helps you to use the rake above your head when reaching for difficult spots.
- It has a plastic blade that’s rigid without being difficult to use on the roof.
- This best roof rake for snow removal is more affordable than some others on the market.
Cons
- Although it’s lightweight, sometimes the rake moves around a bit during use.
- Some people have said that this rake is not suitable for raking away large quantities of snow.
- The rake can break easily, as some people have reported.
Alternative: Extreme Max Shingle-Saver Roof Snow Rake with 24" Blade
Short summary
This roof rake comes with blade rollers that will provide greater protection for your shingles while you clean your roof. However, they still allow you to get really close to the shingles so you can clean them properly.
It has a 21-foot reach so you won’t have any problems reaching debris on the roof. This also makes it ideal for removing snow during the winter when you don’t want to have to climb onto the roof.
Since this roof rake is made out of lightweight aluminum, you can easily clean a variety of hard-to-reach places with it because the rake won’t be too heavy to carry and hold. Its aluminum is also resistant to corrosion.
For increased user-friendliness, this roof rake has an easy snap-button handle. This makes it easy to assemble and disassemble when you want to store it away. The rake comes with a plastic bag containing all the nuts and screws that you need for quick installation. You can purchase this in either plastic (poly) or aluminum.
Quick Facts
- Material: Aluminum
- Length: 21 feet
- Weight: 5.8 pounds
Pros
- The angled blade of this rake makes it easy to reach corners and other small spaces on your roof.
- The pole breaks into four pieces, which makes storing this a breeze.
- It only weighs 5.8 pounds, so it’s easy to handle.
- Its wheels prevent you from having to lift the rake’s blade.
- It’s strong enough to pull through heavy snow, making it easy to use.
Cons
- Some people have said that they didn’t get all the screws or nuts that they needed in the pack.
- You have to be careful when cleaning solar panels with this rake. The edges of its blade are exposed, which could damage the panels.
- The product doesn’t come with clear assembly instructions.
Alternative: SNOWPEELER Premium - Roof Rake for Snow Removal
Short summary
This is a telescopic roof rake that has a sectional handle. This means you can extend it as required. It comes with six five-feet poles that are designed with quick-snap connectors. This is useful for getting the right length you need when cleaning low-pitch roofs and hard-to-reach areas.
This roof rake has been designed with features to protect your roof, such as glide pads that won’t cause any scratches, scuffs, or other damage to your roof. Just one motion is all that you need to engage its blade so that it can cut through snow and make it slide off your roof. It has a whopping 30 feet of reach, so you will be able to reach all sections of your roof. This is ideal for sloped or steep roofs.
What’s really great is that this is the snow rake to use no matter what kind of snow you’re dealing with. Its unique design can cut through both fresh and hard-packed snow. This is therefore a tough and durable rake that you’ll be able to get lots of use out of at home.
Quick Facts
- Material: Aluminum
- Length: 30 feet
- Weight: 13.4 pounds
Pros
- It’s got an aluminum blade that has braces to boost its strength and durability.
- It comes with a tear-resistant slide. This boosts its efficiency as the slide is 10 feet in length to clear away snow.
- This snow rake contains a curved handle adaptor that makes it more effective when you’re removing snow at a distance greater than 20 feet.
- It has a tapered cutting frame. This enables you to slice through different types of snow with ease.
- The slides are made of woven vinyl that’s stronger than plastic.
Cons
- Since it weighs around 13 pounds, it does weigh a bit more than other roof rakes on the market.
- It can be difficult to manoeuvre this roof rake at 30 feet.
- Some people who purchased this roof rake reported that it bends easily.
Roof Rake FAQ
After reading our best roof rake reviews, you might still have some questions about roof rakes and if they’re really necessary or you can just use a ladder and shovel to remove snow from your roof instead.
Let’s check out some important questions and information about roof rakes.
Do roof rakes damage shingles?
Many roof rakes are designed in such a way that they reduce or minimize damage you could cause to your roof when removing snow.
For example, they might have wheels on their blades that rest on the roof shingles, therefore protecting them; or, they might have heads made of foam that are gentle enough for use on various roof types while still being effective at removing debris and snow.
That said, you have to be careful when buying aluminum rake heads. These can easily damage and scratch roof shingles, so you have to ensure that they’re made well to prevent that from happening.
Bear in mind that how you use the roof rake also matters. If you are not careful when cleaning around your gutters, for example, you could damage them. It’s especially important to consider this as it’s easy to forget about your gutters when they’re covered in lots of snow!
Although there are always some dangers when using a roof rake, using one to remove snow from your roof is essential. Not only does it prevent you from having to use a ladder, but it prevents heavy snow from accumulating on your roof and causing structural damage. It’s essential to clear away snow promptly.
How long of a roof rake do I need?
Since there are various roof rake lengths you can buy, you might wonder how much length you actually need for your specific roof. If it’s too short, you won’t have enough height. But, if it’s too long, it might be cumbersome to use or bend too much at the blade which will make it less effective.
There are some important things to consider when you’re ready to purchase a roof rake. The most important is the size of your house. A one-story home will require a roof rake that’s approximately four to six feet; meanwhile, a two-story house will require a roof rake that’s about 18 feet or so.
You should also consider the slope of your roof and take into account landscaping, terrain, or other obstacles that could get in the way and require you to use a roof rake that offers a greater amount of length so that you can reach the snow on your roof more conveniently.
What’s the longest roof rake?
It’s said that roof rakes are generally between 14 and 24 feet in length, with many of them being adjustable so you can shorten or lengthen them depending on your needs.
In our best roof rake reviews, we featured a roof rake that’s even longer than 24 feet. The Snowpeeler Premium can be extended up to 30 feet, which is the longest roof rake that we featured in this guide!
But, as we mentioned earlier, longer roof rakes aren’t always the best choice. While they will enable you to clear away snow from tight corners or difficult-to-reach spots on your roof, they can be difficult to control. This is something to consider when purchasing a roof rake, so only purchase one with a length you actually need and feel comfortable using so that you don’t accidentally cause damage to your roof.
Why would you rake a roof?
You should always rake your roof. This is especially important when it’s snowing, because as we mentioned earlier in this article if you allow heavy snow to accumulate on your roof it can cause structural damage.
A roof rake is basically designed for removing snow from your roof before damage can be caused. Instead of getting up onto a ladder so that you can clear away snow, which is dangerous, investing in a roof rake is safer and more effective.
A snow rake has features that make clearing away snow from your roof much easier, such as by being up to 20 or 30 feet in length so that you can quickly remove snow when standing on the ground, or having wheels and foam pads that make the process easier.
While you might think that you can use rock salt to dissolve snow on your roof instead of buying a roof rake, this is not recommended. Salt or ice blends can discolor and stain your roof. They also can cause your roofing nails to rust. Your best bet, therefore, is to invest in a roof rake that’s safe, effective, and will protect your roof for years to come.
Conclusion
Investing in a roof rake should be an important part of every homeowner’s roof maintenance, especially during a season of heavy snow.
Not all roof rakes are safe for use on your roof, though, which is why you should look for a rake that has safety and user-friendly features in place, such as the ones that we’ve featured in these reviews.
In this article we’ve also featured some important information you should know about roof rakes, such as what features you should look for before buying one. This will ensure you keep your roof protected and get rid of accumulated snow before it can cause roofing problems.
While you might not always need to use a rake to clean your roof of leaves and debris, if you experience snow in the area in which you live you do really need one. A roof rake will maintain your roof and make it much easier to eliminate snow that can damage it.
Reference Articles:
James
James Weldon is a professional roofing contractor with many years of experience on the job. He does not only handle large projects and provide excellent services for his company’s many clients; James Weldon also dedicates his spare time to teaching others useful tricks of the trade. Using BuildCampus as an avenue to reach many roofers and aspiring roofing contractors, James Weldon continues to provide high-quality educational posts and buying recommendations for anyone who visits the website.