How Roof Snow Load Measurement Help Save Your Roofs From Damage
During heavy snowfall, snow may build up on your roof regardless of its pitch. This accumulated snow can cause serious damage to your home or commercial building. Your local building code will determine how much snow your roof can support. This is known as your design snow load.
Protects Against Water Damage
The cold and wet winter can cause damage to your roof that can result in water leaks, rotted wood, and mold growth throughout your home. Inspecting your roof for signs of leaks can help you determine when it’s time to take action. For instance, if you see large brown stains in your attic or on your ceiling, it’s a good sign that water has penetrated the structure of your roof. This could mean you need a professional to inspect your roof for damage and help you avoid costly repairs down the road. One of the best ways to determine how much snow is on your roof is by measuring it. This can be done by collecting a sample of snow using a stove pipe and weighing it. It’s not the tiniest, but it can be beneficial when determining how much snow your roof can handle.
Prevents Damage
Roof snow load measurement helps save your roofs from damage by ensuring that the roof can cope with peak snow accumulation throughout the winter. If your roof is not built to handle the amount of snow accumulating during a particular storm, it will likely suffer from significant damage when ice dams and snow drifts begin to form.
In the US, a roof’s snow load can be determined by measuring its depth in inches and multiplying it by the weight of 1 cubic foot of snow. This translates to about 6 to 8 pounds for fluffy snow and 20 pounds for wet, compacted snow. Getting a good idea of the snow load for your roof can help you determine whether it’s time to call a professional to remove or lessen this load. If the amount of snow on your roof exceeds the allowable load, removing it can prevent serious damage from occurring.
Prevents Ice Buildup
Snow can be a problem for your roofs, especially in winters with heavy snowfall. The heavier the snow, the more likely it is to create ice dams that cause water damage to your home’s roof and other areas.
Fortunately, several ways to prevent ice buildup on your roofs will help save your home from expensive ice dam repairs. One of these ways is by checking your roof snow load, which is the weight of snow per square foot on your roof. To determine your roof snow load, cut a 1-foot by 1-foot square of the full depth of snow on your roof into a plastic bag and weigh it. It should be less than 60 pounds to be considered safe for your home.
Other strategies that can prevent ice buildup include:
- Adding ventilation to your roof.
- Insulating your attic.
- Sealing off air leaks that might warm the underside of your roof.
However, these may not work effectively in some cases because the roof may need to be warmer to keep ice from forming.
Prevents Sagging
The roof is designed to last for a long time but can be compromised by harsh weather. This can cause it to sag, which is a problem that can lead to collapse. To prevent this, you need to know how much snow you can expect to accumulate on your roof. With this information, you can determine whether your roof is at risk of sagging. If you have an old roof, it may need help to withstand the weight of snow. This is why measuring the snow load before a storm hits is essential. This will help you avoid a dangerous situation and protect you and your property from harm. In addition, it will help you understand the costs of repairs or replacements.
