How to Prevent Roof Collapse This Winter

 

The last thing you want to happen to your business building is a roof collapse. This endangers people and threatens property and equipment. But with the heavy snowfall as winter advances, this may be a possibility, especially for older buildings. To prevent this, install a snow weight alarm.

The alarm detects increasing pressure from the accumulation of rooftop snow and informs you through email. This alarm is a system consisting of sensors that activate in response to that pressure and calculates the load based on your building’s structure.

An Alarm System That Prevents Problems

This snow weight alarm is accurate because it deals with more than just the average weight of snow. It also pinpoints high-pressure areas that threaten the building’s structural integrity. This is significant because the snow load is not distributed evenly but is heavier in areas where there is snow with higher moisture content and ice buildup.

With roof monitoring technology, you know what the snow load is every day. And you can plan when to remove that snow before it gets too heavy. This technology helps you make good decisions that protect your business from one of the hazards of winter weather — roof collapse.

How to Avoid a Roof Collapse

Rain, sleet, and snow can all put your roof at risk for collapse. But that doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do to reduce the chances of that happening. With a few updates to your property as well as some predictive monitoring technologies, such as a roof snow load calculator, you are able to stop a roof collapse from ever happening.

Some of the best ways for you to avoid this disastrous issue from occurring include:

Keeping Gutters & Downspouts Clear - One of the essential tools when it comes to defending your roof is your gutter system. When expertly designed and installed, your gutters and downspouts will ensure that excess water has a place to go, so it doesn’t stay on your roof and weaken the system. By keeping your system free of blockages, you are able to make sure it is working as it should during any heavy storms that might blow past.

Remove Snow & Ice Frequently & Properly – Snow and ice can quickly start to accumulate on your roof if you have a few days of freezing temperatures. This can add a lot of extra weight to your roof, which can directly lead to structural damage. By removing this excessive snow and ice, you can reduce the amount of weight on your roof and stave off water pools and ice damming. Not sure how frequent is frequent enough? Purchase a roof snow load calculator to let you know when it is time to get that roof cleared.

Stay Up to Code – Keeping your roof properly maintained is important when it comes to avoiding issues in bad weather—or good. Make sure you are getting a regular inspection to see if there are any issues with your current roofing system, and obtain any repairs when needed.