Does Using a Roof Rake Reduce the Lifespan of Your Roof?

Roof Types

• The impact that a roof rake has on your roof depends, in part, on the type of roof you have. Roofs composed of asphalt or wood shingles are the most susceptible to damage, since each individual shingle can potentially come loose. Corrugated metal roofs are less susceptible to damage from a roof rake, although they may develop scratches from heavy usage. Steep roofs that shed snow and ice naturally will need less raking and, as a result, are less likely to experience damage that shortens their life spans.

Avoiding Damage

• The way you use a roof rake will also affect whether it shortens or extends a roof's life span. Most roof rakes remove snow by breaking up its hard surface and allowing it to slide off due to gravity. Applying additional force to speed up the process or break up heavy ice will increase the chances of causing damage. Raking soon after a snowfall will require less force, since the snow is still loose. However, once the top layer melts and refreezes, the removal process will require more forceful raking.

Ice Dams

• Using a roof rake extends the life span of a roof by eliminating ice dams. Ice dams form when melting snow freezes at a roof's edge, causing additional melt-off to pool up behind it. This water can enter the home through small leaks in the roof, causing moisture to enter the attic and expanding roof cracks when the water freezes overnight. This damage is much more extensive than the scrapes and loose shingles that forceful roof raking can cause.

Considerations

• If you have a roof that is susceptible to damage from using a roof rake, you can use another type of tool to remove snow. One alternative is plastic sheets on long poles that separate snow from the roof and provide a slick surface for it to slide down. If you have only a roof rake, risking the damage it may cause is likely worthwhile to prevent ice dams and the severe problems they can cause if left unattended. Building your home with a steep roof or installing a heating element in the roof are among the ways to prevent ice dams and the need for a roof rake in the first place.