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Clearing your own roof can make sense on a single-storey house with a sloped roof, if you can do it from the ground. This guide covers the tools Montreal homeowners actually buy: slide-type tools like the Snowpeeler, classic roof rakes, and roof shovels. It explains what each one is good at and where it stops being a DIY job.
Quick Comparison
| Tool type | Works from the ground | Best for | Not for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slide tool (Snowpeeler, Avalanche!) | Yes | Moving a lot of snow fast off sloped roofs | Flat roofs, ice |
| Telescopic roof rake | Yes | Clearing eaves to prevent ice dams | Heavy, deep, wet snow on large roofs |
| Roof shovel / snow scoop | No, you must be on the roof | Flat roofs (professionals) | DIY on any roof |
| Snowblower | No | Nothing on a roof | Any roof: tears membranes and shingles |
Slide Tools: The Snowpeeler and Avalanche!
Slide tools cut under the snow with a frame at the end of the pole. As you push up the roof, the snow slides down a fabric or plastic chute and falls off on its own. On heavy snow they are much faster than a rake, and much easier on your back.
The SnowPeeler is the one most Montrealers ask about. The Premium model comes with a 30 ft (9 m) sectional handle and a 10 ft snow slide, and an extension set adds up to 10 more feet. It is sold at major Canadian retailers.
SnowPeeler Premium (30 ft handle, 10 ft slide)
Best for: Moving deep snow off sloped shingle roofs from the ground
Pros
- Snow slides off in sheets, far less pulling than a rake
- Long reach for bungalows and wide eaves
- Extension sets available
Cons
- Needs a sloped roof: no good on flat roofs
- A 30 ft pole is hard to handle and can reach power lines
- Won't move ice
Avalanche! makes a similar slide system: a 17-inch-wide head with a 12 ft slide on a roughly 15½ ft fiberglass pole. The Original 500 has small wheels for asphalt shingles; the 750 has 3-inch wheels and a tougher slide for metal, tile and specialty roofs.
Avalanche! Original 750 Roof Snow Removal System
Best for: Metal and specialty roofs on single-storey buildings
Pros
- Large wheels keep the frame off the roof surface
- Tear-resistant slide
- Fiberglass handle sections
Cons
- Shorter reach than the SnowPeeler
- Harder to find in Canadian stores
Telescopic Roof Rakes
A roof rake is the classic tool: a wide blade on a long telescopic pole that you pull down toward you. It is best at clearing the bottom metre or two of the roof, which is exactly where ice dams form, so it is a good preventive tool after each storm. For more on why this matters, see our roof snow raking page.
Garant Telescopic Roof Rake (21 ft handle, aluminum head with carpet)
Best for: Keeping the eaves clear on bungalows and split-levels
Pros
- Canadian brand, widely stocked
- Fabric carpet lets snow slide down
- Telescopic 21 ft handle
Cons
- Aluminum head: pull gently to avoid scraping shingles
- Slow on deep, heavy snow
Snow Joe Roofer Joe RJ204M (21 ft, poly blade)
Best for: Light, quick raking of eaves after each snowfall
Pros
- Lightweight, under 5 lb
- Poly blade is gentler on shingles
- Twist-lock pole from about 6 to 21 ft
Cons
- Narrow blade: many passes on big roofs
- Flexes under heavy wet snow
Roof Shovels, Scoops, Cutters and Sliders
Roof shovels and snow scoops are what professionals use on flat roofs, and they only work if you are standing on the roof. On a flat roof that means working near a parapet on a slippery membrane, and on a sloped roof it is worse. We don’t recommend either as a DIY job. If your plex has a flat roof, see flat roof snow removal instead.
Snow cutters and sliders (wire or blade attachments that cut a slab loose) are variations on the slide tool. They work on steep, smooth roofs but give you little control over where a large slab lands, so keep everyone well clear of the drip line.
Safety Before You Start
- Look up for wires. Aluminum and wet fiberglass poles conduct electricity. Stay at least 3 metres from any service line.
- Stay on the ground. Never use a rake or slide from a ladder; the leverage of a long pole will pull you off balance.
- Stand to the side. Snow comes off in slabs; never stand directly under the eave.
- Leave a thin layer. Don’t scrape down to the shingles; a few centimetres of snow protects the roof.
- Leave ice alone. Pulling or chipping at an ice dam tears shingles and gutters. Ice needs steam removal.
When to Call a Pro Instead
Two-storey house, flat roof, metal roof over an entrance, or ice already at the eaves? Raking from a ladder or climbing onto a snowy roof is how people get hurt every winter. Our insured crews work in pairs on harnesses and clear by hand without damaging the roof. Typical prices run $250 to $450 for a bungalow and $350 to $650 for a two-storey house. Call 438-476-8876 or get a free quote.