31 Jan EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROOFING AND SNOW: ACCL ROOFING

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ROOFING AND SNOW: ACCL ROOFING

What to think about while developing and building in a snowy environment.

While correctly engineered metal roofs have a history of performing well in the winter, excessive snowfall may be damaging to all types of structures. When snow and ice create dangerous situations, those who live and work in and near them are also at risk. Even though winter doesn’t officially start until late December, we’re already experiencing cooler weather before then. Keep these roofing and snow guidelines in mind when you plan, build, and maintain structures in places where snow and/or ice is a possibility throughout the year.

Snow-Bearing Roof Considerations: Plan Ahead for Snow Load

Snow accumulates on all roof types, increasing the amount of weight that your structure must support. This added weight (snow load) can put the structure and everyone inside and around it in danger. When the weight of snow or ponded water from melted snow, for example, surpasses the limits of the structure, the roof or perhaps the entire structure can collapse. Make sure you know how much weight your structure can support and maintain it within its limits by removing snow.

Ice Dams Can Be Avoided

The majority of ice dams are caused by defects in building air barriers. Warm interior air that exits through the roof floor warms the roof sheathing, melting the underside of the snow layer on top. This water then runs down the roof’s slope and into the eaves, where it freezes into ice. The ice becomes thicker and thicker as the process continues, resulting in ice dams. These dams allow water to back up and form a reservoir, which can cause significant damage.

You should do the following to avoid ice dams:

At the attic floor, seal all air leaks.
Ascertain proper insulation.
Make sure the attic has enough airflow.
Use a peel-and-stick membrane on the roof deck stretching from the eave to about 3′ up-slope from the outside wall as another tip.

Avoid Sliding Snow

Gravity can force piled snow to slide down the roof’s slope (shedding), causing injuries and property damage below. Regardless, snow shedding is required to keep the snow weight from exceeding the structural limits of the building. Snow load and shedding must be balanced, which necessitates consideration of topographical, building material, and roof design variables.

Roof slopes of 45 degrees or more might hasten the sliding of snow, with potentially disastrous results. For example, if snow collects on an external gas line and then falls on it, the pipes may burst. From there, even the tiniest source of ignition might set the structure on fire. Furthermore, the power and weight of sliding snow can send any icicles developed on eaves down onto persons and property below.

Low friction (as found on smooth roof surfaces) provides reduced resistance to sliding on slopes less than 45 degrees. On roofing materials like metal panels, striations and embossing add a modest 3D contour and strengthen the resistance to sliding. Although installing metal panels with snow retention systems on a steeply pitched roof can be tricky, it is generally advised. This method will naturally remove snow and ice while also protecting your structure from heavy snowfall. If you have a low-sloped roof, be sure it’s designed to withstand snowfall because it won’t shed naturally. It’s also critical to include enough snow retention devices from ridge to eave in this design.

Utilize Retention Techniques

Snow fences, bars, and guards, for example, are designed to cause snow and ice to melt completely or fall in little amounts from roofs. This helps to mitigate the risks of abrupt rooftop avalanches while keeping the roof’s pristine lines. It’s critical that snow retention systems are meticulously designed and installed. Snow fence assemblies can be properly engineered using models like S-5snow-retention device design resource, which allows you to input your roof dimensions and projected snow load.

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Rely On Our Licensed Roofing Experts!

Have any questions regarding proper summer maintenance tips? Or how to choose the right roofing company? or interested in our other Roofing services? ACCL Roofer has all the answers! Please visit out contact page for your free estimate today! Or call us at 416-759- 8567, 905-448-5909, 1-866-701-8484.