clearing snow off roofs.

[mbohuntr]

Have to share this... found this website, and built one like it except you pull it up from the peak. This works AWSOME!!!

Avalanche Snow - Snow Removal Equipment, Snow Roof Rake for better Roof Maintenance

 

[RobS]

Reminds me of a Darwin candidate I saw a few years back. Was on my way home from work and there had been quite a bit of snow. People were all talking about clearing their roofs and how best to do it. I saw a guy on his roof with a snowblower! Not a flat roof mind you, maybe a 4/12 pitch on a ranch? And it was a smallish blower, one of those two cycle snow-throwers. But can you imagine the traction he must have had under his feet??? He needs one of these things for sure!

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Mobohuntr,
Wow that thing is really nifty !

The one I use looks like an oversized hoe with aluminum handles, the blade section is crack resistant plastic. But that tool seems to work much better than mine. Actually I should say my neighbors, I borrow his !

Thanks for the link !

BTW the really smart people in Vt have metal roofs !

 

[mbohuntr]

The CEO, err Boss, err Wife... refuses to put one on, I figure she will reconsider once I fall off. Actually I convinced her to go with the simulated shingle style, just saving the cash. Gonna cost about 15k

 

[ragkar]

An asphalt driveway blacktop rake would make a good snow remover, except for the shorter pole. When I had my Cessna (high wing) I use to use one.
Another aviation trick is to rope it off. That takes two guys, but it works. It does a good job of removing the rough ice on the wing that hurts lift.

 

[Tig]

The avalanche gizmo is really ingenious. Much better principle than a rake. There should be a video on that site that shows how it works. I wonder how durable they are?

 

[mbohuntr]

I just went to Lowes and bought a piece of 3/4"conduit, 2 pieces of 1/8"x1-1/2" x 36" aluminum, and 1 piece of 1/8"x 3/4" aluminum for the braces. I bent the 1-1/2" to make an 18"x12" square. I screwed the conduit onto the 18" side and put the braces about 4" from the bottom of the "slicer". Then I attached some heavy duty plastic sheets about 12-14' long by wrapping them several times around the bottom and zip tying them. It works GREAT!!!
I will attach a weight to the bottom of the sheeting as the wind kicks it around a bit. And I designed it to be pulled toward the peak because we get 3-4' at a time and you wouldn't have to move the ladder.

 

[WBWI]

My neighbor loaned me his avalanche a few years ago after multiple storms dumped about 50" of heavy snow in 3 weeks. It really worked well and cleared the snow quickly. You don't want to be in the way when the snow comes sliding off the roof.

 

[Reg]

I prefer a regular roof rake, too much weight too far out can be a PROBLEM !
I have the ~$40 one from a local hardware store.
I don't see the point of shoving a slick sheet of plastic up underneath and the risk of catching shingle edges when they're cold and brittle doesn't seem worth whatever minor benefit might derive from quick slide off.
Getting it all in the face all at once doesn't seem like a good idea either.

Tnx, but I'll stick with the 98c mousetrap for now.

 

[Doc_Bob]

I have 18 to 24 inches of insulation plus thermal barrier insulation (TBI) in my attic. I hope I never have to scrape snow off my roof.
Bob

 

[PhilNH5]

We got one last year right around Christmas. Great company to do business with.

We got 40 + inches o snow last December. We needed to do something.
The Avalanche worked as well in real life as it does on their website videos. The only caution is that the snow often comes down on the user. No big deal though. I would recommend this to anyone currently using a roof rake.

This is a pic of my wife using the Avalanche.

 

[mbohuntr]

Mine doesn't get anywhere near the shingles, leaves about 1-2" of snow left on. I have shoveled, used a roof rake, and this thing, this is easiest and fastest by FAR!!!

 

[DCJL]

Another version I found, I like the size of this one, 36"

Minnsnowta Roof Rake Razor

 

[George2615]

Hi Mike,
I never tried the Avalanche but did try a snow rake. It broke the first time I used it. The snow was too wet and heavy. After many years of getting up on my roof and shoveling off the snow, slipping and sliding and having to reshingle the roof 2 times I decided to put on a metal roof. I stripped everything off, blew in additional insulation, installed new plywood, paper and then installed the metal. I picked a dark brown color which absorbs solar heat during the day (don't know if you noticed it when you were here) and for the past 2 winters I have not had to go up and shovel. It just slides off by itself now. How's that blower working for you? You must have had some seat time by now.

 

[mbohuntr]

Hey George, how was your thanksgiving? Yup, the blower got some use! I love it! had my drive done in 20 minutes! Also learned how to replace a shear bolt... I went back to a blade after it turned to slop... We are gonna put on a simulated shingle steel roof in a couple of years, but it's gonna hurt the wallet! Thanks again!!!

 

[SpringHollow]

The Avalanche works pretty well.

Ken