Save your arms, shoulders and neck and get up on the roof with a shovel. You
live in serious snow country as I do. The key is to not let the snow build
up too deep. It's important to keep the peaks clear first. You don't have to
shovel the whole roof. Clear two feet down from the peaks along the ridges.
Then clear some diagonal paths to the lower edge of the roof (one shovel
width) every 8 to 10 feet. Doesn't look like a picture postcard, but it
works. Use plastic edge shovel only. Metal edge will cause too much abrasion
of shingles. When plastic shovel wears down, get a new one-they're cheap.
It's also a good idea to clear over a bathroom since they make extra heat,
especially around the plumbing stack. If you have roof vents part way up
(box type) keep those clear.
The worst conditions are when you get freezing rain first followed by deep
wet snow. It gets heavy and packs down trapping a lot of heat and surface
moisture which can back up all the way to the peaks. Powder snow also will
start to form a heavier surface layer on the shingles as heat gets trapped.
But you can let the powder go for a few days. You have to stay on top of the
wet heavy stuff.
Never use an axe (I learned that lesson). Better to use a sledge hammer to
break thru an ice dam. The ice will fracture from the blunt impact and water
will suddenly run out at the fascia boards.



"Stormin Mormon" wrote in message
...
Writing from a suburb of Rochester NY. The answer to ice dams is
incresed insulation and increased venting. My parents had ice dams
every year, until a friend and I blew in some cellulose. Then also put
in a vent at each end. Now, the snow lays flat and melts in the
spring. Also, Dad doesn't have to empty the cake pans on the floor
with a turkey baster several times a day. He's also not up on a
ladder, next to the picture window, with a hatchet. Trying to chip a
drain channel through the ice dam.

No experience with roof rakes.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

"Walter Cohen" wrote in message
...
I live in NY state and had roof ice dam damage in a past year. Ever
since
then I've had additional under-eave ventilation vents put in and try
to keep
parts of my roof clean (to some degree) of winter snow using a long
handled
shovel. My roofer recommended a roof rake with a telescoping handle
system.

Can anyone who has used one of these comment on how well it works,
what
types/brands are recommended, width of the blade, etc.
They all seem to look similar and are constructed the same. The only
difference that I can see (on the internet) is that they are of
varying
widths (blade).

Any assistance / recommendations are appreciated.

Thanks!
Walter