For those who live in the northern climates the build-up of snow is a constant concern, especially build-up on the roof.  Accumulation of snow can be harmful to your family and your home.  Heavy and wet snow can leak into your home and damage everything in its path.  The worst-case scenario of course is the roof collapsing.  Snow related insurance claims cost millions of dollars, in addition to raising the cost of insurance for homeowners.  It is best to look into having the snow removed to avoid these disasters.

There are tools that are specifically designed for removing snow build-up from the roof.  These range from snow rakes, snow blades and snow razors.  All these tools are designed to slice the snow and pull it down in a controlled manner.  Be advised that this is a dangerous task and should only be performed by those with knowledge of snow removal.  Calling a professional is ideal and the safest method.

There are measures that can be taken to prevent snow build-up in the future, including venting the attic and clearing the gutters.  The worst case would be a new roof to ensure efficiency is maximized.  Unfortunately, for older homes, it is more difficult to repair the roof, making snow removal much more frequent.

Source:  http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/531041/why_and_how_to_remove_snow_from_your.html?cat=6