The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic sections of the United States have just finished a major heat wave. Oklahoma is on track to have a year that will smash the record for rainfall. Many areas throughout the country are in the throes of the dog days of summer. For many building owners and homeowners it is very difficult to even begin to think about the approaching winter. It is even more difficult to think about snow fall and ice accumulation on your roof system. But before you know it, winter weather will be upon us!
The time to install snow stops on your roof system is during warmer weather conditions. This is especially true for certain types of snow stops that require the use of an adhesive for their attachment to the surface of the roof. If the temperature is too cold, the adhesive may not properly seal to the surface of the roof and the snow stop will fail.
In addition to the types of snow stops that are being used, homeowners and building owners must consider the type of roof system in their decision to install snow stops or not. Certain types of roof systems like natural slate or metal roof systems are more prone to snow or ice sliding across the roof surface. This is because these materials are smooth and do not grip the snow and ice from the underside. As a result, the snow can slide across the roof system potentially causing damages to the roof itself as well as to landscaping or other structures built beneath the edge of the roof system such as awnings or even pedestrians below.
It is important that homeowners and building owners consider the type of roof system they have and the volume of snow and ice that they are looking for the snow stop system to handle. Depending upon the roof type and the system type, snow stop systems may need to be engineered in order to withstand the pressure from the snow loads.
If you are in areas prone to snow fall, what type of snow loads do you expect year after year?
Photo © Jurin Roofing Services, Inc. Snow stops on slate roof system.