Metal Roof Snow Removal

Snow Rake

• Snow rakes, which are like large metal scrapers, can be purchased at hardware stores or online for a reasonable amount of money. Rub the scraper over the snow, scraping it off like a razor through shaving cream. The metal of the rake is also heavy enough to break through any ice under the snow as well. This can be a painstaking endeavor, however, and one that can be a little dangerous because you have to walk on the roof and scrape it in cold, possibly inclement, weather.

Heat

• Flowing metal water lines with boiling hot water can be run under the roof to keep the metal of the roof above freezing, preventing snow from being able to settle and stick on the roof. This takes a bit of installation inside the house, and constantly running boiling hot water through pipes all winter will probably make your water heating bill and water usage bill skyrocket. So removing snow from your roof in this way is a more expensive solution, though you'll never have to scrape snow off the roof.

Shovel

• The old-fashioned way of removing snow from a metal roof with a snow shovel is still effective but more painstaking and dangerous than any other way. If you plan to do it this way, there are some safety precautions you should take to keep yourself safe while working. Heavy boots that will grip the snow and ice should be worn. A safety line and harness that connect to a solid part of the roof, such as a chimney, also should be worn so that if you slip and fall, the line or harness will keep you anchored to the roof so you don't slide off.