Discussion: Roof rake to eliminate need to go up on the roof

See the discussion of January 3 2016 (last year) on my log, re. special roof rake. I highly recommend it. We (Mario a helper and I) did our entire roof yesterday.

Here's a picture, worth the proverbial 1000 words...?

The part of the roof that makes big, bad dams is not reachable. The rake ends at snow surface. It had a 6’ longer section which broke off. Still, it would not reach, if I could hold it out. The dams form, predictably, where the warm spots are. The biggest are above two propane heaters on the first floor and the upstairs shower. For the upper (mid-level), I have eyebolts and a rope strung thru them. Time to change, maybe a metal roof will do it.

As an alternative, do you ever chop old pantyhose in half, fill both legs with road salt, tie them off, and heave up onto roof?

Interesting suggestion, worth a try. We do have a bucket of hockey puck like salt "tabs" for the same purpose. I was going to try them out today but the wife mixed signals and they did not get attached to the line to haul them up as she neglected to come outside! Resolution was 'next time'. Experiments are good...

I have a bucket of the salt tabs, too, and should get them up there. Zack and I raked off a bunch of snow, or at least all we could reach from the roof over the entry. Still some pretty serious ice at the eaves.

At least our front entry is cold so that roof portion is OK - as is the garage roof - both good illustrations of ice dam "materials" in the making or the lack thereof.

The newer parts of our house are in better shape than the central section. Better insulation. The southern side now has solar panels, so it has been doing a good job of shedding the snow. The snow comes off in a big whoomph! I don't stand under there.

At least you have snow....my roof is a very low pitch, crappy insulation too...
But heat tape can keep those areas from forming ice dams.
The panty/salt idea is hilarious!!!