Snow/Ice load on roof! What to do?

meanwhile · #1 12/27/10, 12:26 PM

Darn.

I did not buy those metal roof things that are supposed to keep the Ice Dam off the metal roof. The man told me to get them and I thought I had time before first snow but now I have 9 - 11 inches snow. Only one section of roof seems to be bad. The ice and snow have already shoved down the leaf-guard things and that metal is caught in the ice and is hanging over the gutter and off the edge.

What to do? Should we hit it with rakes? The snow on top is powdery but underneath there seems to be ice.

Thanks for tips.....and yes, I know as soon as I can drive to town I am buying the metal things to install.

Thank you.

Danaus29 · #2 12/27/10, 12:30 PM

Beating on frozen shingles can break them. Brush the snow off with a broom and pray for sunshine to melt the ice. Hopefully someone else has a better idea.

Darren · #3 12/27/10, 12:40 PM

I use a push broom with plastic bristles. Use a couple band clamps to add another pole or poles to extend the reach. That will allow you to pull the powdery snow off the roof.

davel745 · #4 12/27/10, 12:44 PM

I suggest that you buy or make a sort of snow hoe no not a ho a hoe. It can be used to pull the snow off the roof I live in WV it is supposed to warm up on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Maybe in your area too. I would look to see what I need to repair the damage done already and get the parts needed to complete the roof. And try to work on it during the thaw. If you use a rake it may damage the roof.

Just another thought is if it is a metal roof and the gutters are blocking the snow from sliding off the roof they may be mounted to high or close to the roof. That’s what a drip edge is for.

Good Luck

Dave

rabbitpatch · #5 12/27/10, 02:05 PM

My dad sells and installs metal roofs and he has these clear plexiglass things he calls "snow guards" (at least I think that's what they're called). Because they're clear, you don't really notice them at first, but they keep the snow from sliding off and tearing off gutters and such as it falls. Also keeps the snow from sliding off at just the precise moment you walk under it on a warm day too LOL

I personally don't know a whole lot about the metal roofs. I suppose you could call a local dealer or installer and ask if they have any ideas for what you could do to prevent further damage.

7thswan · #6 12/27/10, 02:09 PM

Calcium Chloride in socks.

Beeman · #7 12/27/10, 02:13 PM

The metal thingies hold the snow on the roof so you don't have a slide off on top of your frt. steps or your bushes. With the metal things you can't rake the roof. Is your problem snow load?, doesn't sound like that much that would cause a problem. Or is your problem ice dams causing backup under the metal and leakage down the wall?

meanwhile · #8 12/27/10, 02:13 PM

rabbitpatch: The Snow Guards is what I was supposed to buy and install but I did not! I cannot get out till probably tomorrow but will get into town and buy them this week. The metal Roofer said he will send someone out to install them for me and check the roof to be sure nothing is broken.

The gutters on front are what will probably suffer. The back and sides of the house seem to be OK. But on the front, it looks like an ice sheet is stuffed against the gutters and are bending some. My sons were able to break a few places of ice and the melt is coming through now.

Fiddle. I should have bought the Snow Ice Guards when the roofer told me to.....

Hooligan · #9 12/27/10, 02:29 PM

I am curious to see just what this device is that is supposed to "keep the ice dam off the metal roof"

The only way to keep the ice dams from forming is to keep the snow off the roof or to make sure there is no melt from the snow on the roof.

I keep ice dams under control by using a roof rake to keep the first 3 or 4 feet clear of snow.

7thswan · #10 12/27/10, 02:30 PM

Beeman is correct,the snow guards are made to Prevent the snow from coming off in a sheet and hurting someone. If your gutters are full and frozen and the ice is backing up, as it melts underneath the frozen snow on top it can come down into your walls or roof. Having snow guards are not going to help this situation.

rambler · #11 12/27/10, 02:55 PM

I suppose in that climate you don't ever get much snow, and it goes away again in week or so?

Where I am, the snow that fell in early November is still on the roof, along with the rest that followed, and likely will be there until March or so when it will melt off.

This weekend we should get a little freezing rain - again - which will turn into snow, so it will compress the snow into more of an ice sheet, but it won't really go away.

Ice dams are real terrible around here this year.

In your location, I suppose the guard holds the snow/ice up there & allows the water to melt down & into the gutter. So it doesn't prevent ice dam and you don't rally suffer from them, but the guard prevents sheets of ice & snow from sliding off or bumping hard into the gutters.

-->Paul

uncle Will in In. · #12 12/27/10, 03:12 PM

GOD and the rain will take it all away. April showers will be there in a few days. Get rid of the eaves troughs and your problem is solved. The only place you need the ice blockers in over doors. Prevents a big pile of ice to walk or drive over. Might even keep you from getting plastered with a tub of wet snow and ice.

Harry Chickpea · #13 12/27/10, 04:17 PM

That calcium chloride idea works without damaging roofs or plants. Calcium chloride is sold as damp-rid. As it reacts with water, it heats up. Good stuff.

Windswept Hill · #14 12/27/10, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by meanwhile

Darn.

I did not buy those metal roof things that are supposed to keep the Ice Dam off the metal roof. The man told me to get them and I thought I had time before first snow but now I have 9 - 11 inches snow. Only one section of roof seems to be bad. The ice and snow have already shoved down the leaf-guard things and that metal is caught in the ice and is hanging over the gutter and off the edge.

What to do? Should we hit it with rakes? The snow on top is powdery but underneath there seems to be ice.

Thanks for tips.....and yes, I know as soon as I can drive to town I am buying the metal things to install.

Thank you.

I use a roof rake to pull as much of the snow off of our roof as I can. It's an aluminum flat rake about 2 feet wide and 20 feet long with extensions. You just have to watch out for power lines and such....

If the ice has already filled your gutters you should probably just let nature take it's course this first round, make your observations, wait for a thaw and then implement a solution.

Kevingr · #15 12/27/10, 05:02 PM

Personally I never remove the snow from my roof, even if it's 3 feet deep. I know to many people who have fallen and slipped on the ice and they are now in wheelchairs. I also know people who do more damage to their roofs by clearing them off then if they had just left it.

That being said, go rent a high pressure washer that also heats the water and clear it off with hot water and pressure.

**Cabin Fever** · #16 12/27/10, 05:11 PM

This is the best thing I found for removing snow from roofs ==> Avalanche snow rake. Believe it or not, it actually makes snow removal fun!

fishhead · #17 12/27/10, 05:36 PM

Unless we get a foot or more of snow on the roof I only rake the bottom 4' because if I don't the roof will form ice dams and the backed up water will find a way under the shingles and into the house.

Jokarva · #18 12/27/10, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7thswan

Calcium Chloride in socks.

Tried this last winter, they just slid right off the two story roof.

Welshmom · #19 12/27/10, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jokarva

Tried this last winter, they just slid right off the two story roof.

The socks are supposed to go IN (or on) the gutters!

meanwhile · #20 12/27/10, 06:46 PM

Rambler is correct -
the ice is not in the gutters.........it is at the edge end of the metal roof and the Snow/Ice Guard things devices are meant to allow the water to flow under them and yet keep the huge chunk of ice from ripping off the gutters......

My boys raked at it some today and I am hoping the sun will help tomorrow. I plan to buy the Snow Guard things later this week and get them in.

Most of the roof looks good........just one area is bad. Thanks everyone.