Think about clearing snow off your roof!

[MAXUM]

I was out at my camp this past weekend clearing my roof of snow. Although it doesn't seem like there is a whole lot of snow out there, what is there is pretty heavy assuming no drifting has occurred due to the high winds of late.

I had about 15" on my roof but of that there were several layers of fairly thick ice crust mixed in between the snow layers that weighed a ton. With another foot or so falling today that will put quite a load on everyone's roof especially if we get any rain or warm weather.

[BroadHopper]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v...443509&fref=nf

This is about the best roof rake I have seen!

[upthesaukee]

Looks like it works really slick...but... there always has to be a but, right...

My concern would be pushing against the way the shingles lie... at the end of winter, I could just see me with 6 feet of snow piled up, and 2 feet of shingles piled up in the snow banks.

[Phantom]

Did you also notice that the bottom edge of the roofline is only about 6 ft off the ground ! (note the height with respect to the guy). thus maintaining the angle against the roof easy.

I think most roofs are typically more like15-20ft from ground level



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[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by Phantom

Did you also notice that the bottom edge of the roofline is only about 6 ft off the ground ! (note the height with respect to the guy). thus maintaining the angle against the roof easy.

I think most roofs are typically more like15-20ft from ground level

.

Yeah, the video would be more effective if they showed what happens when you try that while on a ladder 15' off the ground

[8gv]

I remember seeing a news story on a CT station a few years back. There had been a lot of heavy snow and roof clearing was getting a lot of buzz.

The reporter was at a local ER interviewing a doctor. The doc said:

"We have been very busy treating people who have been injured clearing their roofs. We have had no cases of people being injured by their roof failing."

[Fargo]

I saw that video on Facebook and came across another product called Avalanche Products with a similar item. Some hardware stores sell them. I made my own version by cutting the bottom off my ice melt bucket. Attached a pole and trash bag as the slide. Can't seem to upload my video or photo. My second version I replaced the bag with a piece of shrink wrap.

[LIforrelaxin]

Every winter when we get a lot of snow quickly this becomes a concern..... While it is a concern... I over this as food to chew on, before taking the risk of going onto the roof to clear the snow....

1. Think about the old run down shacks and garages you can find all over New England.... They are still standing

2. Think about all the old flat roofed factory building that are still standing, where the snow is not cleared off of them....

3. Think about the indoor sports arena, that are still standing

Why are these structures still standing.... because they where not built cheaply. And they where engineered to hold the heavy loads of winter

Why have store like Walmart had issues? Because there designs meet minimum criteria.... and well this model works great in some area, it doesn't work well in New England....

Do I worry about my camp... Yep that is why I have insurance..... am I going to go up and risk getting on my roof to lighten the load? Not Yet..... and I am certainly not going to run up to the lake just for that purpose...

[wynndog]

LIF,
I feel the same as you, but has anyone had to use their insurance here?
Tell me how much hassle that is. I would clean it but don't have room to throw it above 4-5" high snow allready. Wouldn't an ins. co. hold you responsible for not cleaning it?
Wynn

[sky's]

Originally Posted by wynndog

LIF,
I feel the same as you, but has anyone had to use their insurance here?
Tell me how much hassle that is. I would clean it but don't have room to throw it above 4-5" high snow allready. Wouldn't an ins. co. hold you responsible for not cleaning it?
Wynn

with out a doubt you should clear your roof from large amounts of snow. anybody who says otherwise is most likely very lazy. there are exceptions to this however its better to be safe than sorry. as we approach spring???? there are better chances for ice back up when melting and freezing occurs daily. not to mention how much heavier the snow load will become as it starts to melt whenever that is??? there are a lot of good people on this forum and great advise BUT there is also a lot of EGO'S. good luck

[Rusty]

This unbelievable! http://m.wmur.com/news/roof-slides-o...-home/31403658

[tis]

I saw that Rusty, and I cannot figure out how that could happen. Do you think the roof was made in sections, kind of like prefabbed and put up? I have never ever heard of a whole roof sliding off and just can't figure it out.

[Denny Crane]

Looks like something in the building code was skipped, possibly hurricane clips that attach the rafters to the top plate.

[Wood Chopper]

Originally Posted by sky's

with out a doubt you should clear your roof from large amounts of snow. anybody who says otherwise is most likely very lazy. there are exceptions to this however its better to be safe than sorry. as we approach spring???? there are better chances for ice back up when melting and freezing occurs daily. not to mention how much heavier the snow load will become as it starts to melt whenever that is??? there are a lot of good people on this forum and great advise BUT there is also a lot of EGO'S. good luck

Snow gets heavier as it melts?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Wood Chopper

Snow gets heavier as it melts?

That's what the man said.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Denny Crane

Looks like something in the building code was skipped, possibly hurricane clips that attach the rafters to the top plate.

It was a self shoveling roof...probably a prototype.