Snow sitting on a roof can cause problems for 3 reasons
- Adds Excess Weight
- Freezes After It Rains Causing More Weight
- Causes Ice Damning
So far, New Jersey has gotten 15.5 inches of snow this winter and we are just moving into February. Snow can be an enemy of your roof because of the excess weight it places on the structure. Flaky light snow is far better than heavy weight snow.So it’s not how deep the snow is on your roof that can potentially damage it, but the actual weight. For instance:
1 Foot of snow = 3 Pounds of pressure per square foot.
1 Foot of wet snow = 21 pounds of pressure per square foot.
1 Foot of ice = 57 pounds of pressure per square foot
It’s the continual changes from fresh powder like snow to heavy snow when it rains and then it turns to ice. In any given winter this can happen over and over again. As a homeowner, there really isn’t much you can do about it, but be extra aware of signs of leaks or ice damning (like hanging icicles).You can also go into your attic and see if there are any signs of seepage. If you had any suspicions of areas of weakness before the winter you may want to arrange for an inspection by a professional to ensure that everything is OK for now.
If you want to safely remove snow from your roof you can get a “snow rake” at your local hardware store. You stand on the ground and extend the rack the appropriate amount and rake the snow off. Do not go up on the roof and remove it with a shovel. It is far too dangerous. Use a rake and start at the edge of the roof just above the gutters and work your way back.to
Preventing Ice Damning
Preventing ice from damning on the roof and in the gutters is one of the best ways to keep the roof structure working properly.
Ice damning occurs when snow melts and re-freezes in the valleys and the gutters of your roof. Icicles may look pretty, but they are a symptom of a problem.
We can prevent ice damning on your roof with our 4 step system. Learn more about our process HERE.
Snow on a Slate, Tile or Metal Roof
Slate, tile and metal roofs are unique and require a different approach when it comes to snow on your roof. Slate and tile are natural materials and the surface area of the slates and tiles themselves are smooth. So when snow starts to melt it can come down quite quickly in big avalanches. This is what causes gutters to break or fall off all together.
To prevent this from happening we install copper snow guards which break up the snow as it starts to slide, making it easier on the gutters.
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