How to Clear Snow & Ice Off a High Roof

Use a roof rake to remove any snow within reach. A roof rake is a long, snow-shovel-like tool that can reach up to 16 feet to brush snow off roofs.

Do not try to melt snow on your roof with rock salt or other melting products. Salt can damage your shingles, and the runoff from melting snow can re-freeze and form ice dams. Ice dams are solid ridges of ice that can form on the edge of the roof, blocking water and causing leaks.

Do not try to melt ice or snow by increasing the temperature under your roof. Runoff can form ice dams, which are potentially much more damaging than snow alone. It is better to keep your roof as cold as possible to prevent snow from melting and re-freezing.

Ensure that your roof is well-insulated. Insulation is essential to keep the outside of your roof cold.

Use a hose on a warm day to apply tap water to an icy roof. This should only be done in emergency situations, such as when an ice dam is backing up water and causing leaks. Use the hose to make channels in the ice through which runoff can flow.