Education, FAQs, policies, and more.
Many people who have lived in New Hampshire for years have never hired a roof raking service — until the winter that caused expensive damage. Understanding snow load and ice dams helps explain why prevention is worth considering.
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Ice dams form when snow on a warmer part of the roof melts, runs down to the colder eaves, and refreezes. This creates a ridge of ice that traps water behind it. That water can back up under shingles and into your home.
Most residential roofs in New Hampshire are designed for significant snow loads, but the real weight depends heavily on the type of snow — not just the depth.
As a general guide, many roofs begin to approach stress levels around 20 pounds per square foot. Heavy wet snow can reach that weight with far less depth than light powder. This is one reason timely full roof clearing is so important after major storms.
Removing snow reduces both the structural weight on your roof and the source of meltwater that feeds ice dams. Thorough clearing is one of the most effective ways to interrupt the cycle that creates ice dams.
Last winter many New Hampshire roofs needed repairs related to ice dams and heavy snow. Full roof clearing is a practical step that reduces that risk before problems start.
Ice dams often start in the attic, not on the roof surface. Warm air that leaks up from the house heats the roof deck, snow melts, and water refreezes at the cold eaves. Insulation, air sealing, and ventilation each play a part:
Proper attic ventilation is one of the best long-term defenses against ice dams. Here’s why:
Even a well-insulated attic can still create ice dams if ventilation is poor. Heat that leaks into the attic warms the roof deck and starts the melt-freeze cycle.
Roof raking handles the snow that is already up there. Insulation, air sealing, and ventilation reduce how much heat reaches the deck next time.
We recommend Grade 1 Insulation, LLC — a trusted local company — for insulation and air-sealing work. Just mention you were referred by Granite Mako Roof Raking.
Grade 1 installs blown-in cellulose, fiberglass batts, and spray foam, plus targeted air sealing around attic bypasses, penetrations, and rim joists. That work keeps house heat out of the attic so the roof deck stays colder — the same heat leak that feeds ice dams.
For the full list of what they offer, visit grade1insulation.co or contact them directly with questions.
No. We work from the ground and use ladders where needed. We do not walk the roof surface.
Yes. We clear the full roof surface from the ground and with ladders as needed — not just the lower edge. We do not walk roofs. That reduces snow load and helps prevent ice dams.
We do our best during active snow events and give priority list customers first consideration. Same-day service is not guaranteed. When it is provided, a $150 emergency fee applies.
Ice dam removal will be offered in the future once we have the proper equipment. At launch we focus on prevention through timely full roof snow removal.
Yes. We can apply the amount you’ve already paid toward a seasonal package, and you’ll pay the difference for the remaining visits. Just ask when you’re ready to switch.
We ask for it when you first visit so pricing stays clear. Your ZIP lets us estimate whether a travel fee applies from Pembroke and which local companies we recommend near you.
We serve homes across a roughly 50-mile radius of Pembroke, NH (within New Hampshire only), including Concord, Allenstown, Suncook, Hooksett, Bow, Epsom, and surrounding Merrimack Valley communities. If you are outside the core area, just ask — a travel fee applies beyond 15 miles.
Commercial general liability coverage will be in place before any work is performed on the house. We may take your place on the schedule and collect payment before that date. If coverage is not active on the scheduled work day, we will not start. We will reschedule once coverage is in force, or refund any prepayment for that visit. Work is done from the ground and with ladders as needed. We do not walk roofs.
Quotes are free. A 40% deposit is required for any job estimated over $900 to secure the scheduled date. The deposit is non-refundable if cancelled by the customer. It is fully refundable if Granite Mako must cancel. Weather-related issues may be refunded or rescheduled.
To lock a scheduled date on jobs under $900, a card on file (Square) or an $85 cash/Venmo booking hold is required. That card or hold is not applied to the job until completion, or if a cancellation fee applies.
Same-day or emergency requests incur a $150 fee. After-hours, weekend, or holiday work incurs an additional $100 fee. Same-day service is not guaranteed and depends on conditions and availability.
Payment is due upon completion of the job. Accepted methods: Cash, Check, Venmo, and Credit/Debit Card via Square (3% fee applies to cards). We do not accept Zelle. Large jobs require the deposit upfront; balance is due at completion. Jobs under $900 require a card on file or an $85 cash/Venmo hold at booking. Final job payment may still be cash, check, or Venmo.
Seasonal packages include a set number of visits. Once all visits have been used, additional visits are charged at regular rates (with the repeat-visit discount when applicable). Emergency or same-day requests do not count against package visits and are billed separately.
After any visits have been completed, no refunds are issued for unused visits. In a light snow season where not all prepaid visits are used, unused visits may be rolled over to the following winter season with mutual agreement.
Commercial general liability coverage will be in place before any work is performed on the house. Bookings and payments may be collected before that date. If coverage is not active when we are scheduled to arrive, we will not begin work. Work is done from the ground and with ladders as needed. We do not walk roofs. That visit will be rescheduled after coverage is in force, or any prepayment for that visit will be refunded. Our service is limited to the work quoted. We are not responsible for pre-existing roof damage or interior leaks unless caused by our negligence. Customers must identify known hazards before work begins. We reserve the right to refuse service if conditions are unsafe.
Prices may increase by up to 6% each November to account for inflation, insurance, and equipment costs.
Granite Mako Roof Raking is a locally owned and operated business based in Pembroke, NH. We specialize in safe, professional full roof snow removal to protect homes from heavy snow and ice dam damage. Owned by David Caldwell, our focus is reliable, safety-first service for our neighbors in the Merrimack Valley.
Granite Strong. Roof Safe.
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