3 Ways Snow & Ice Can Harm Your Roof

When winter rolls around, most of us prepare by stocking up on road salt, switching tires, and piling up firewood. We don’t immediately think of our roofs, even though they’re the only things standing between us and several inches of heavy snow. Before the weather turns cold, inspect your roof and be sure it’s ready to stand up to freezing snow and ice. Here are just a few things that could put your roofing at risk:

1. Snow weight. Snow is surprisingly heavy--even if it’s just a few inches. And once enough piles up, a roof that isn’t reinforced enough could quickly come crashing down. Flat roofing is particularly susceptible to collapse from heavy snow loads. We recommend investing in a roof snow removal plan to put your mind completely at ease.

                            

2. Moisture damage. If a roof isn’t airtight, melting snow and ice can create streams of water that penetrate seams. Once this water is inside your building, it can lead to mold and mildew growth that eventually weakens the entire structure--especially the roof. Not only that, any moisture trapped in these seems could freeze and expand, causing additional damage.

3. Ice buildup. Have you ever noticed icicles forming along the underside of a building’s roof? Though it’s common, it’s also a sign that water isn’t draining properly. Ice formation can seriously damage your gutters and other parts of your roof.

To be sure your home or business is “covered” in the event of snow buildup, ask about a roof snow removal plan. 

Understanding Roof Snow Load Measurement

If you live in a region that sees lots of snow every winter, it’s well worth your time to learn how to measure the weight of snow accumulating on your roof. An individual flake might not weigh much at all, but when all those flakes get together, it could spell disaster for your building--especially if you manage or own commercial property, which tends to have flat roofing rather than pitched roofing.

Snow load formulas differ depending on what type of roof you’re measuring: flat or pitched. For flat roofing, you’ll want to use a yardstick to measure the average depth of snow piling up there. Translate that number to feet. (For example, 12 inches is one foot.)

Then, fill a 1x1-foot container with snow and weigh it. You’ll multiply that weight by the depth of the snow. The resulting number should tell you how many pounds of snow your roof is carrying per square foot.

Sounds complex? For many business owners, it is. Constantly monitoring how much snow your building’s roof gets is exhausting and unrealistic, especially for large properties. (Don’t even get us started on pitched roofing--that formula is even more complex.) A roof snow load measurement system will simplify the task by doing the hard work for you.

To find out how professional roof snow load measurement can protect your business, get in touch with our team.

Trust Our Team When You Need Assistance Shoveling Roofs

Snow comes down, and workers go up.

That may have been the way your company practiced shoveling roofs in the past, but with the application of technology, this job can be much simpler and practical.

At Safe Roof Systems, our team has the skills to provide a roof risk review and evaluation for your company. This review, along with data from the dependable and accurate snow load monitoring systems we provide, builds the foundation of an effective snow removal plan.

Monitoring allows your company to get an accurate picture of the amount of snow on your roof and the areas of heaviest concentration. The information is taken into account when enacting your shoveling plan. Rather than undertaking a wholesale cleaning of the roof and the subsequent expense of a contractor or overtime for your workers – not to mention the risk – a monitor coupled with a concrete plan will direct workers to the areas which need attention.

This method is quicker and cheaper than having a team of shovelers clearing the entire roof every time it snows. With a monitoring system, you only clear the complete roof when conditions and measurements indicate that it is the right choice.

Fewer shoveling excursions onto your roof cuts down on the amount of wear and tear on the roof itself, and the cost for snow removal and roof repairs.

3 Reasons You Need to Know Your Roof Snow Load Measurement

Fresh snow is light and fluffy for the most part, containing more air than water. A few small flurries of snow don’t weigh very much or put much strain on a surface. Once snow starts to accumulate, however, that’s a different story.

As snow builds up on your roof, it gets compacted, leaving a solid mass that contains a larger amount of water and is much heavier. This could spell disaster for your building or home, as it calls into question just how much weight a roof can handle before it starts to cave. Here are three reasons why it’s important to obtain an accurate roof snow load measurement for your property:

1. It ensures the safety of all occupants/guests in the building. This also particularly important in the case of commercial properties which tend to have large roofs that hold lots of snow.

2. It prevents damage to your property from excessive snow loads. This cuts down on repair bills and the hassle of insurance claims.

3. When you know how much snow you roof can handle, you’ll have a better understanding of when you should clean it off.

To get an accurate picture of the amount of snow, you need a monitoring system like the ones provided by a company such as Safe Roof Systems.

Develop a Winter Storm Plan

Winter storms can bring with them a wide array of exposures to your business. Some regions of the county have been enduring record-breaking snowfalls in recent years, which can increase the potential of roof collapse. Staying mindful of several factors will help you determine if your building is ready for the next season’s storm.

It’s essential to know the snow load your building is capable of handling. If it was built recently, you should be able to contact your general contractor for the appropriate information. Make sure to inspect the roof, drains, and gutters for any damage, such as cracks or corrosion, and ensure they’re clear of debris to avoid the possibility of ice accumulation.

Part of any good winter preparedness plan is to establish points where you should lighten the snow load to keep it from becoming unsafe. Whether you decide to handle your roof snow removal plans or leave them to a qualified contractor, make certain that the proper equipment is used to avoid damaging the roof covering.

Above all, prepare for the worst. The first storm of the season can come sooner than you think. Stock up early and be sure that all of your key equipment like snow blowers and generators are in good working condition long before you’ll need them, so you can be prepared to enjoy all the good that the season brings.

Prepare for winter storms by knowing when and where to begin roof snow removal plans. Prevent potential losses from snow damage by connecting with SafeRoofSystems.com.

How Much Roof Snow Is Too Much?

Snowfall built up on the roof can quickly transform an industrial landscape into a peaceful winter wonderland. Though the presence of snow on the roof is beautiful in its own right, there’s a limit to how much snow a roof can support. Accumulated snow can get extremely heavy and can lead to significant structural issues, including roof leaks, interior water damage, ice dams, and even total roof collapse. Fortunately, the experts at Safe Roof Systems have put together some helpful roof snow load measurement tips to help you understand how much snow your roof can handle before danger ensues.

Roof snow load code requirements follow local ground snow load data.   Refer to your builder or engineer for your Live Load requirements.  To Illustrate how much snow can weigh consider the following examples:

• Fresh Snow - 1 foot of freshly fallen snow equals 8-10 pounds per square foot.
• Accumulating layers of Snow - 1 foot of old, packed-down snow is equivalent to 22-25 pounds per square foot.
• A Mixture of Old and wet snow - 1 foot of water-soaked and compressed snow can weigh as much as 35-45 pounds per square foot.
  

Closely monitoring the amount of snow building up on your roof is essential if you wish to avoid structural issues. Your building will be safer if you’re aware of when to mitigate the problem safely with effective snow removal services.

Rely on Safe Roof Systems to determine the load capacity of your roof with roof snow-load measurement tips. Keep these in mind to prevent structural issues.

Fast Facts to Know About Snow

When you know some interesting facts about snow, including the consistency, temperature, and weight of snow, you can be more prepared for the coming winter.

Many people think of snow as a nuisance, but the truth is that snow, as a natural phenomenon, is really quite miraculous. You probably learned that no two snowflakes are exactly alike in elementary school. There’s plenty more to learn about snow, however, so read on to find out more about the stuff of winter wonderlands.

Weight. Individual snowflakes are light, fluffy, and melt in an instant. But did you know that snow can be impressively hefty when all those little flakes get together? In fact, depending on the amount of moisture in any given group of snowflakes, the weight of snow can range up to 21 pounds per cubic foot!

                                                   

Color. Every winter, heavy snowfall transforms certain regions into sparkling white landscapes. But on an individual level, snowflakes aren’t white at all—they’re translucent. It’s only when light hits them from all sides that they appear white. (Another fun fact: snowflakes change color depending on algae content and pollution.)

Sound. Have you ever gone outside during snowfall and found the world much quieter? That’s because newly fallen snow absorbs sound waves. Ice, on the other hand, actually reflects sound waves. Thus, older, icier snow won’t have quite the same muffling effect.