You Need to Know Your Roof’s “snow Load”
Most roofs built since the 1988 U.S. current regulations are designed to support a certain amount of additional weight in the form of snow. Even older roofs usually have additional snow storage. But sometimes a large amount of snow, wet or packed snow can exceed the capacity of your roof. Luckily, you can calculate the snow load on your structure, and if you think you’re approaching the edge of a precipice, take some precautions. Here are some helpful steps to take to keep snow from damaging your roof.
Use the snow load calculator
There is some information that you need to collect before you can make calculations for your particular structure. First, the length, width, and pitch of your roof will determine most of the calculations. Enter this information, along with information about your condition, depth and type of snow, into the OMNI Snow Load Calculator and it will tell you if your roof is in danger of exceeding the recommended snow load. If you are unsure about your roof slope, you can also use the OMNI Roof Slope Calculator .
When using this type of calculation, you also need to consider things like dormer windows, extra porches, or other extra structures that can make your roof more vulnerable in certain places. You should be sure to keep an eye out for gaps between sheds or around chimneys where snow can drift and accumulate more than elsewhere. Since not all snow will be the same depth or density, your calculations will always be approximate. If you suspect you’re nearing the limit, it’s a good idea to remove some snow.
Look for warning signs of damage
If you see any warning signs, such as moisture getting inside, ice or icicles forming on the roof and gutters, or unusual ceiling creaking, it’s time to remove some snow to prevent further damage. Also, look out for ice dams: if the ice is redirecting drainage from your roof, you can fill a sock with de-icer and throw it over the ice dam to melt the channel leading to the chute. However, don’t use rock salt on your roof because it can damage metal as well as some types of roofing materials.
How to remove snow from a roof
Once you have determined that the permissible snow load has been reached, you must carefully remove the snow. Remember to secure ladders if you use them, and plan where the snow will go once it’s cleared. Heaping snow on your home is not the best idea in terms of moisture management, so you should keep snow drifts away from the foundation wall as much as possible. Also, stay away from icicles and packed snow, which can cause fall injuries.
If you have a one- or two-story house, you can remove some snow with a rake . They are specifically designed to be gentle on your shingles, but if you don’t have a rake, you can carefully use a snow shovel or a broom and snow ladder. Whatever tool you choose, you should leave some snow on the roof, partly so as not to damage the shingles, and partly to keep some insulation between the roof and the elements. If you can’t clean the entire roof, do your best. Lose some of the weight, even if you can’t do everything at once.