How to Shovel Snow Off a Roof

Purchase one of the tools designed to shovel snow off a roof. They include a snow rake, roof razor rake or a snow cutter.

Create a path around your house by repeatedly retracing your steps until you've created a flat surface. Make sure that your path will support your body weight by filling any holes with enough snow to make a solid, flat path.

Use a snow rake to shovel the easy snow off the roof first. Avoid removing more snow than you will be able to shovel when it's on the ground.

Keep a protective coating of snow on your roof to prevent damaging the roof's surface.

Shovel snow off your roof over time by removing several small sections each day.

Consider using a snow cutter if you need to shovel deep crusts, icy or heavy snow. Used the same way as a snow rake, a snow cutter removes snow in sections. Because you don't have to climb onto your roof to shovel off snow, a snow cutter is easier and safer to operate.

Try using a roof razor's double cutting surface to shovel snow off your roof. One section remains on the roof's edge until you remove all the easy-to-reach snow. Push the head of the razor rake up and into the snow to force it to the ground. Use roof razors if you are shoveling snow off a steep pitched roof.