With 30 inches of snow on the ground and another 12 inches forecast, removing the existing snow from a low pitched roof was necessary to prevent a costly ice dam and interior damage. An old shop broom, a scrap of 3/8" plywood, a telescoping handle and a few feet of 12 gauge electrical wire transformed an old shop push broom into an effective snow rake.

Step 1: Find Your Broom

Step 2: Remove the Handle

Step 3: Drill a Hole in Your Plywood

The scrap piece of 3/8" plywood used in this example is 6 inches by 21 inches and a 1 1/2inch hole was bored on the center line to allow clearance for the handle.

Step 4: Attach the Plywood to the Broom Head

drill and screw the plywood onto the head of the broom using four #7 x 1 5/8" deck screws

Step 5: Drill Plywood for Braces

Drill a 3/16" hole in each of the four corners of the plywood to accommodate the wire brace.

Step 6: Add Braces

String two pieces, each 30" long, of 12 guage electrical wire through the holes from the bristle side of the broom

Step 7: Secure the Braces

Secure the electrical wire to the telescoping handle with a hose clamp. Bend about an inch of each wire back toward the broom head and secure with a second, larger hose clamp on the broom head side of the first clamp.

Step 8: Put It to Work

Pulling snow off a roof is easier and safer than getting on top with a shovel. The 3/8 inch thickness of the plywood provides sufficient strength and it is light enough to allow a full 16 foot extension of the handle.