Best Roof Rake for Snow: Pole Length by Story, Wheels and Power Lines

A two-story eave takes 20 to 24 ft of pole to reach 4 to 8 ft up the roof. Pole math, wheels for shingles or metal, the 10-ft power line rule, five picks.

11/4/20263 min read

Roof rake pole length chart for a 6/12 roof, standing 6 ft out: one story 7.8 to 15.8 ft, two story 16.2 to 24.2 ftRoof rake pole length chart for a 6/12 roof, standing 6 ft out: one story 7.8 to 15.8 ft, two story 16.2 to 24.2 ft

Your two-story eave is 20 feet up, and a 15.5-foot roof rake won't touch it from 6 feet back. A foot of wet snow on the first 4 feet of a 40-foot eave weighs about 3,360 lb (FEMA: 21 lb per sq ft). Buy the pole for your roof.

Quick pick: Avalanche! 500 (fiberglass pole) for one-story shingles; add its 8 ft kit for two stories. Metal roof: the Avalanche! 750 (plus the kit for two stories).

Free calculator: Size a gravel drip strip under the eave in our free gravel calculator. No sign-up.

Snow-covered suburban street with a two-story house, snow on the roofs, and parked cars buried in snow
Snow-covered suburban street with a two-story house, snow on the roofs, and parked cars buried in snow

Photo: Lalada on Pexels

How long a pole your roof needs

The math: pole to the edge = √(feet out² + (eave height − 5 ft)²). The pole has to clear the gutter, so add the feet you want to reach up the roof.

One story (10 ft eave), 6 ft out: 7.8 ft of pole to the edge, about 12 ft to reach 4 ft up, 16 ft for 8 ft.

Two stories (20 ft eave): 16.2, 20.2 and 24.2 ft.

The picks on that two-story: 15.5 ft (Avalanche!) falls short of the edge; 21 ft (RJ204M) reaches about 5 ft up; 23.5 ft (Avalanche! plus kit) about 7 ft; 26 ft (RJ207M) about 10 ft.

Snow-covered house roof with a dormer window, power lines visible in the background
Snow-covered house roof with a dormer window, power lines visible in the background

Photo: Tiago Dotto on Pexels

Shingles, metal or solar

Asphalt shingles: the Avalanche! 500 listing says its 1.5-inch wheels glide over shingles.

Metal, tile, cedar, solar: the Avalanche! 750 listing names those, with 3-inch wheels.

No sharp edges: FEMA says metal snow rakes can damage roofing.

Metal sheds fast: FEMA calls metal panels slippery roofs that shed snow easily. Stand back.

Frost-covered wooden utility pole with insulators and power lines, black and white
Frost-covered wooden utility pole with insulators and power lines, black and white

Photo: Kevin Bidwell on Pexels

Power lines: the 10-foot rule

Look up first: OSHA says keep snow rakes 10 feet from overhead power lines and use extendable, nonconductive poles.

Metal poles: FEMA says metal snow rakes pose an electrocution risk. Both Snow Joe poles are aluminum (the RJ207M head too); Avalanche! poles are fiberglass (the kit's couplers are aluminum).

Wire within 10 feet of the swing? Don't rake that side. Hire a pro.

Deep snow on a roof with icicles along the gutter and a chimney behind, snow falling
Deep snow on a roof with icicles along the gutter and a chimney behind, snow falling

Photo: Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels

How to rake without hurting the roof

Leave a layer: FEMA says leave at least 2 inches of snow on the roof.

Small bites: OSHA says pull small amounts so falling snow won't bury you.

Not from a ladder: OSHA advises against it. FEMA adds roof snow can slide at any moment; stand outside the slide zone.

Lower strip only: clear what you reach from the ground. Don't climb for the rest.

Sagging ceiling or popping noises? FEMA calls those overstress signs: get out, call your building official.

Snow-covered cabin roof with long icicles hanging from the gutter beside a window
Snow-covered cabin roof with long icicles hanging from the gutter beside a window

Photo: Barnabas Davoti on Pexels

Where the snow lands

Clear the drop zone: OSHA suggests keeping people back 10 feet from where snow will fall.

Off exits and vents: FEMA says keep it away from exits, downspouts and vents.

Then the walk: see how much ice melt you need, or the best snow shovel for a gravel driveway.

Icicles hanging from a snow-covered roof edge and gutter, snowy pine trees behind
Icicles hanging from a snow-covered roof edge and gutter, snowy pine trees behind

Photo: Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels

Roof rakes for snow (#ad)

As an Amazon Associate, Curb Calc earns from qualifying purchases.

Avalanche! 500 Roof Snow Rake: 15.5 ft fiberglass pole, 17 in × 12 ft slide, 1.5 in wheels for shingles, per the listing. See it on Amazon

Avalanche! 750 Heavy Duty Roof Snow Rake: same pole, tear-resistant slide, 3 in wheels for metal, tile, cedar and solar, per the listing. See it on Amazon

Avalanche! Handle Extension Kit: two 4 ft fiberglass poles, up to 8 ft more. Fits the 500, 750, 1000. See it on Amazon

Snow Joe RJ204M Telescoping Roof Rake: aluminum pole to 21 ft, 6 × 25 in poly blade, 4.8 lb, 2-year warranty. Only where no line is near. See it on Amazon

Snow Joe RJ207M Roof Rake with Debris Slide: aluminum poles and head to 26 ft, 20 ft debris slide, 1.2 in wheels. Metal rake: only where no line is near, not on metal or solar roofs. See it on Amazon

Roof rake FAQ

How long should a roof rake be for a two-story house?

About 20 to 24 ft to reach 4 to 8 ft up a 6/12 roof from 6 ft out. A 15.5 ft pole won't reach the edge.

Can I use a roof rake on a metal roof?

Pick one whose listing names metal roofs, like the Avalanche! 750, and stand back.

Should I rake all the snow off?

No. FEMA says leave at least 2 inches. Clear the lower strip you can reach.

Watch Curb Calc on YouTube: youtube.com/@curbcalc

Sources: FEMA P-957 Snow Load Safety Guide, Jan. 2013; FEMA Snow Load Safety Guidance flyer, P-957; OSHA Hazard Alert HA-3513, Dec. 2017.