How to Remove Snow & Ice From a Tall Roof

Obtain a ladder tall enough for you to reach your roof, such as a 30-foot extension ladder, that rises a few feet above the point at which you plan to step onto your roof. Along with a helper, situate the ladder against your roof, and keep the ladder a minimum of 10 feet away from overhead power lines. In addition, clear off any ice or snow at the foot of the ladder using an ice pick and snow shovel before ascending.

Don gloves, and put on shoes that have rubber soles, which will make walking on a snowy or icy roof much safer. Be especially careful if you have a sloping roof.

Use a sledgehammer to break up ice that is at the highest point of the roof. Apply just the force necessary to break up the ice to avoid damage to your roof. Begin at the top, so that any ice you break loose easily slides down the slope and off the roof. Have your helper stay away from the lower part of the roof when beginning the sledgehammer process, and make sure others stay away from the ground area where the ice may fall off a sloping roof.

Pull off snow from your roof with a roof rake, a device that allows you to remove snow as you stand at a lower point on your roof or on the ladder. Note that this device features a telescoping pole that allows you to split sections of ice and snow to easily drag away.

Sweep snow off the roof using a push broom to reach areas your roof rake couldn't get to easily. Be gentle, as forceful use of this tool potentially damages the roofing.

Put a de-icer on your roof, allowing the chemical to cover an area that is 3 inches wide by 1/4 inch deep between the roof’s corners and the roof drain as well as around roof ventilators. Use products that are in the form of rocks, which break through thick ice faster than fine powder products. Plan to use this product multiple times until all of your roof’s ice and snow are gone.