When heavy snow piles up on your roof, it’s tempting to just let it sit there until it melts. But experts say that ignoring it can lead to a much bigger (and wetter) problem: ice dams. If you’ve noticed icicles forming along your gutters or water stains creeping across your ceiling, you may already be dealing with one.
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Both the University of Minnesota Extension and the National Weather Service warn that ice dams can cause serious damage if left unchecked. So before you grab a ladder, here's what you need to know about how they form, how to prevent them and what you need to remove snow safely from your roof.
In this article: EZ Smart Snow Roof Rake, EZ SMART Snow ROOF RAKE, 36-INCH Blade and Avalanche! AVA750, Easy and Quick Snow Roof Rake
Ice dams form when snow on a roof melts unevenly. According to the University of Minnesota Extension, heat escaping from your home warms the roof surface, causing snow to melt. Then, meltwater flows down toward the colder roof edge and gutters, where it refreezes. Over time, this creates a ridge of ice at the roof’s edge.
That ridge blocks additional meltwater from draining properly — instead of flowing off the roof, water backs up behind the ice dam, where it can build up and damage shingles, gutters and roof decking. In severe cases, the weight of ice buildup can also strain gutters and roof structures.
Experts emphasize that prevention starts with your gutters and downspouts. In the fall, clean them out thoroughly, and throughout the winter, clear out any leaves, sticks and other debris that collect in them so melting snow can clear from your roof.
Longer-term solutions include:
For immediate action, removing snow from the roof edge after heavy snowfall can reduce the chance of an ice dam forming. You don't need to strip the entire roof bare, but clear the lower few feet so melting snow has a path to drain properly.
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A roof rake is a long-handled tool designed to remove snow from the ground, with no ladder needed. It typically features a wide blade or panel that you position at the roof’s edge, pulling snow downward in manageable sections. By clearing the bottom few feet of snow after a storm, you reduce the amount of meltwater that can refreeze and form an ice dam.
Roof rakes work best when used soon after snowfall, before thick ice has a chance to develop. The key is removing fresh snow buildup to keep water flowing freely off the roof.
One popular option is the EZ Smart Snow Roof Rake, which has been purchased 6,000 times on Amazon in the last month. It features a 36-inch blade for covering more surface area and offers up to a 21-foot reach, allowing you to clear snow from most single-story homes while standing safely on the ground. The rake is designed for quick assembly and is marketed specifically for preventing ice dams through routine snow removal.
If you live in an area that sees repeated heavy snowfall, a roof rake can be a practical seasonal tool, especially when paired with other preventative measures throughout the rest of the year.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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