How to Make a Cheap Roof Rake

eHow ^ | 16 Feb 2010 | Clawmute

[Vigilanteman]

Leapin' lizards Batman! You mean in addition to having to rake all those leaves from the yard we have to rake the roof too? That's right Robin lad. If you have a barn, tool shed, equipment or garden shed that has a galvanized steel roof and is subject to a build up of leaves then you're going to have to remove them. Leaves, especially Oak leaves are high in tannic acid and if you let them build up for a relatively short period of time they will destroy the galvanized coating on the metal and leave nothing but a coat of ugly red rust. Pine needles are also bad about corroding galvanized steel, and they will pack into layers that want to stay and cause trouble. Some roofs are hard, not to speak of dangerous to access, so a much safer simpler method of leaf removal is in order here. For just a few bucks investment and thirty minutes of time you can put together a roof rake to help remove those pesky leaves. Here's how.

[Vigilanteman]

Most Freepers have probably experienced excess snow this year. In all our years in SW Pennsylania, I've never seen this much accumulation with no end in sight.

The local places, of course, are all sold out on commercial snow rakes, so I'm thinking of building one with plumbing pipe and a strong but thin piece of plywood about 6" wide x 3' long by 1/2" thick.

Any reviews, advice or voices of experience would be appreciated.

[Born Conservative]

bfl

[cripplecreek]

LOL below normal snowfall here in Southern Mi.

[oh8eleven]

Any reviews, advice or voices of experience would be appreciated.
I've lived in Rochester, NY for 40+ years and we know snow.
In those 40+ years I've never raked snow off my roof, nor understood why anyone would want to.
God put it there; God will take it away.

[martin_fierro]

Was just thinking of doing this the other day!!

Heavy rains —> moss growing on roof shingles.

[east1234]

Ice dams would be one reason, not to mention a prediction of heavy rain.

[oh8eleven]

Ice dams would be one reason, not to mention a prediction of heavy rain.
Believe me, I've seen all of it many, many times over the years and survived it all.
And the last place I'd want to be is on a roof covered with ice and/or snow.
Just today ... "Man Falls Off Roof Shoveling Snow."

[Lokibob]

Try this:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Roof_Snow_Removal_Tool/

I have seen 3 people make these and they work slick. One does the roof of a split level with a 40’ pvc extension.

.....Bob

[madison10]

I think we have plenty, thank you very much. I do like blizzards and being “forced” to stay home. Did you hear...Lake Erie is frozen over.

[cripplecreek]

Here in Jackson county we’ve only had about 18 inches total this winter.

[madison10]

Don’t think Monroe County has had much more. Just feels like it’s been here forever. :)

[cripplecreek]

Its been on and off all day here. The problem is that winter takes too long to go away. I wanna wake up and find that May had arrived during the night.

[cydcharisse]

I’ve been in Rochester for 60 plus years. If you need proof that some
roofs need raking you should see the results of the eaves area of my rear exit door when the roof is unraked.

Walk a mile pal, walk a mile.

[oh8eleven]

There are over a million people in the five county area and I'll bet less than .01% need a roof rake. And more than likely the cause of their problem is an underlying issue like poor construction, roof needs replacing, no insulation, bad shingles, old gutters, etc.

[Vigilanteman]

We've had several incidents like this in the Pittsburgh area recently. Maybe they build stronger roof trusses in Rochester?

[oh8eleven]

Maybe they build stronger roof trusses in Rochester?
Don't know for sure, but given that Pittsburgh is no stranger to snow and ice, I'd say building codes are probably pretty close.
I did see that your roof collapse was on a warehouse, not a residential building.
(BTW, Superbowl XLV = Steelers and Giants :>)

[EggsAckley]

I have a concrete tile roof........lifetime protected.

[Vigilanteman]

Much better than the link I found! Thanks!