Snow Removal Equipment: Using Roof Rakes

Removing snow from your roof is not the same as the removing snow from your garden. Where there is a possibility of snow, the roofs are made inclined and this is a major reason why the mechanical tools cannot be used by the house-owner. Either he has to use manual tools or he has to call for an expert in roof raking. Fortunately, the gravity works for the house-owner and if the snowfall is not continuous and long lasting, the nature itself would melt the snow and a minor effort on part of house-owner will ensure that no ice collects on the roof.

Roof Rakes Are Made Of Aluminum Or Hard Plastic

For roof raking aluminum ladder and roof rakes are required. The roof rakes are attached at the end of a tube. They are made of aluminum or hard plastic. Aluminum is preferred over plastic as they are not as tough as the aluminum ones. Aluminum ladder is necessary, as roof is slippery, inclined and thus not safe for access. Whatever portions can be reached with the help of the tube extensions, are cleared of collected snow and the other portions left out in as is condition. Chemical deicers if available in market can be used.

Safety In Roof Raking

Do not do the following when clearing the snow from roof

1. Never ever, climb on the roof to clear the snow. All the ingredients for an accident are present the roof. A slippery surface and slope are sufficient for hurtling you downwards.
2. Do not work on the snow by mechanical means, that means no pounding or chopping
3. Aluminum ladder should have a firm footing, and it should be anchored firmly. It should not topple down.

Roof Raking Alternatives

To reduce the manual effort required in roof raking and removing snow from roof, roof and gutter de-icing cable can be installed on the roof. This has to be installed on the roof in a zigzag pattern and parallel to the gutter. A controller situated in your house will ensure that the temperature of the area under the cable does not get hot. Andrew Caxton is the webmaster of http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com . A guide on lawn mowers and garden tractors and how to choose the right type for your garden;including snow removal tools for the winter season such as snow blowers and roof rakes http://www.lawn-mowers-and-garden-tractors.com/snow-removal-equipment/roof-rake.html

The Benefits of Electric Snow Blowers

Electric snow blowers are just the thing to buy if you live in a region that never gets more than 6 to 10 inches per snowfall.

Electric snow blowers don¡¦t rely on gasoline for power. Rather, they utilize a 6- to 12-amp cord, which you can plug into a regular wall outlet up to 150 feet away. They¡¦re highly maneuverable in tight spaces, but you must always be aware of the cord because accidentally slicing through it can be a safety hazard. As with all snow blowers, it is recommended that only adults use them.

All electric snow blowers are single-stage units. This means there is only one auger for both scooping and throwing snow. The auger is a spindle with two or more curved blades or paddles spanning the width of the snow blower, rolling above and parallel to the ground. The high-speed auger of a single-stage machine eats snow and sends it flying up and out of the chute or vane.

Larger electric snow blowers have a chute that you can rotate in any direction up to a 190„a sweep. Smaller units tend to have a stationary vane that guides the snow out of one side of the machine.

Electric snow blowers usually throw snow 20 to 30 feet away. They can clear paths 12 to 20 inches wide, and move 200 to 900 pounds of snow per minute. All of these models feature an electric start rather than a recoil start, so there are never any cords to pull. All this power comes in a package that is easy to store, sometimes weighing as little as 10 pounds and rarely more than 25 pounds ¡V light enough so you can pick it up and chip away at some of the deeper snow banks. And because electric can be just as durable as gas power, many electric units come with 2-year warranties.

If you need to move more than 6 to 10 inches of snow, or you have more than an acre of surface to uncover, or your driveway is made of gravel, then an electric snow blower won¡¦t get you very far. If this is the case, it¡¦s better to invest in a gas-powered unit. A single-stage gas-powered unit is the next step up -- great for flat surfaces and mild to medium snowfalls at any distance from the building. For larger jobs and uneven terrain, go with the big guns: A dual-stage machine.

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