How to Remove Snow From a Ranch Rooftop

Sweep across the surface of the roof using a snow roof rake. Stand on the ground level so you have access to the rooftop. Extend the handle of the snow roof rake so you can reach at least a few feet into the edge of the roof. Lift the rake and drop it into the snow on the roof. Pull the rake toward you so the snow is removed and deposited over the roof's edge. Extend the rake handle and repeat the process. Raking only the edges can lead to the formation of ice dams, which can be even more damaging than snow.

Melt the snow that is out of reach of the roof rake. Fill old stockings or paper lunch bags with potassium chloride or calcium chloride, two commonly found forms of rock salt. Tie off the ends of the stockings or crumple the ends of the paper bags to prevent the salt from pouring out unexpectedly. Wet the stockings or paper bags so the contents will dissolve more easily. Toss the bags or stockings onto the roof in a scattered pattern. The salt will escape the packaging and make its way into the snow, causing it to melt and release.

Apply pool chlorine tablets to melt the snow on the rooftop. Toss the tablets in a scattered pattern around the rooftop wherever the snow is piled highest. The chlorine tablets will have the same effect as potassium chloride and calcium chloride, melting the snow and causing it to run off the rooftop.