It s a matter of probabilities.
Why to get your roof raked.
If the ice dams are already there try to remove as much snow as possible from the area of the roof behind the ice dam at least 4 6 feet.
Once that happens water infiltration is sure to follow.
The problem is even the best roof rake itself can create a significant amount of damage to the shingles or tiles on your roof if you use it improperly.
A roof rake is not a rake as in what you d use in fall but rake refers to the pulling or raking process involved in pulling the snow off the roof versus a shovel which you push.
The rake can be smooth without the overhang or it can lift the gable end like an eave.
The hanging rake then locks with the soffit and fascia or opens to the left.
The rake is not exactly on the roof.
I d say 70 of the time you can prevent ice dams just by raking your roof.
You are far less likely to get an ice dam if you rake your roof than if you don t.
Roofing terminology may be difficult to understand unless you are a builder or roofer.
It s also difficult to use a roof rake to clear the snow out of your roof valleys because the rake is flat and the surface is angular.
Of course roof raking has its limitations.
It is a term that describes the sloped sides of a gable end.
This is why roof raking is popular.
Unless you live in a one story home it s often hard to rake any higher than the overhangs even if you buy extension rods for your rake.
However it doesn t happen the majority of the time so don t conclude that raking your roof is a waste of time.
Effectively scraping your granules off of your roof makes it subject to even more damage.
It allows you to remain on the ground and out of the way but still pulls down a significant amount of snow.
So if you insist on roof raking you ll need to protect your home by doing a quick spring inspection.
A roof rake can be intricately designed.
As the asphalt dries it begins to crack.