North Carolina doesn’t typically see much snow fall, so snow load is not a problem for most roofs in the Charlotte area. Nevertheless, snow can weigh a large amount, and the more weight it carries, the greater the risk that it will do a significant amount of damage especially in an area like Charlotte where roofs are not built to withstand heavy loads.
Is the Insulation on Your Roof Up to Par?
In many parts of the country, the snow load is not as much of an issue for homeowners that have newer roofs, roofs that are well insulated, and roofs that are generally in good repair. On the other hand, if your roof is older, has possibly a few missing shingles, or is not insulated at all, then you have a problem that could lead to the structure caving in, which would be a devastating event.
How do you decide what action to take? It is important to give some thought to the condition of the roof of your house before the first snowfall of the season.
What Does It Mean to Have a Snow Load?
When it comes to issues concerning roofing structures, the term “snow load” is going to come up quite a bit. It refers to the downward pressure that is exerted on the roof as a result of the weight of the snow and any ice that may be present there. The greater the snow load, the greater the amount of weight that the roof must be able to carry. If there is an excessive amount of snow weight, this can cause the structure to fail completely, which will result in the roof collapsing on top of itself. Sometimes the snow load is less than what you anticipate; this is especially the case if the structure was not built properly or if there are difficulties with the materials that are used on the roof.
Snow that is blowing about is another significant risk. Drifts are locations where the snow load in one area may be significantly larger than in others. These drifts are created as snow is blown around by the wind. This results in the load being unbalanced, which increases the likelihood that the roof will sustain some kind of damage.
What Amount Of Snow Is Considered To Be Too Much Snow?
Even if you enjoy the sight of snow falling outside your window on a chilly winter day, there will come a time when you will need to consider clearing it off your roof. It should be made quite apparent that you should never attempt to remove snow from your roof on your own, especially if you do not have the appropriate equipment.
You need to take a look at the snow itself in order to figure out what’s going on. It turns out that not all snow is created equal.
Moisture content
Some of the snow is drier, which helps it to remain lighter in weight. If the snow has a high moisture content, then it will be significantly heavier than snow that has a lower moisture content. The amount of moisture might fluctuate anywhere from five to thirty-two percent. Given these conditions, it is possible that one cubic foot of fluffy, light snow could weigh close to three pounds. On the other hand, snow that has been soaked might weigh as much as 21 pounds.
What is the total amount?
The amount of snow that is currently on the roof is another component that plays a role in snow load. This is an estimate of the total amount of snow that is on the roof, including the snow that fell the previous week and has not yet melted. The possibility of there being an issue increases proportionally with the number of inches that are added to it.
The distribution of snow
The position of the snow on the roof is yet another consideration. Is it consistent and even from the front to the back? There is a good chance that there are some parts that are deeper than others, such as flatter portions of the roof rather than the peaks of the roof. Again, this is typically caused by the wind blowing snow into various regions such as the dormers and roof valleys.
What Kind of Actions Should You Take Regarding the Snow That Is on Your Roof?
When it comes to snow load and your roof in general, there are a few things you should keep in mind that are important to keep in mind.
Time for a roof inspection
Before the onset of winter, you should get your roof inspected in its entirety if there is any reason to suspect that the structure of the roof might be compromised in any way. This should be your first and foremost action. Even if it is the midst of winter, having your roof inspected could be the single most important thing you can do to keep your home in a habitable condition.
Does your roof need structural help?
If there is significant damage to the roof or the structure that sits beneath the roof, then those components need to be repaired. Even little punctures can do significant damage to the structure of the roof, increasing the likelihood that it will cave in on itself. It is important not to put off necessary repairs because the problem will only get worse over time. Your roofing contractor may be able to take measures to shore up the roof in the event that there is not enough time right now for a full repair or replacement. This will allow the hazards associated with the roof to be reduced until there is sufficient time to begin repairs.
Should you remove the snow from your roof?
Do not put yourself in danger if there is a significant amount of snow on your roof at the moment. If there is snow already on your roof, you should never step up upon it or put a ladder up to reach your gutters. Even if you believe that shoveling it off would be the greatest option, doing so puts you in a dangerous situation.
It is feasible that you may hire a roofing contractor or some other type of specialist to come to your house and clear the snow for you. It’s possible that you’ll need to do this if there’s already a significant amount of snow on your roof and more is expected to fall.
Utilizing a snow rake, which is a type of rake that has been developed particularly for the removal of snow, is still another alternative. While you stay on the ground and stay well out of the way of the snow as it is falling, it can be helpful to encourage the snow to come off the edge of your property. If you choose to do this, ensure that you stay safe by always following the instructions provided by the manufacturer, and never use the tool while you are standing on a ladder.
Snow is a major issue that can present considerable challenges for a good number of property owners. However, if you spend a few minutes now making sure that the state of your roof is satisfactory, there is a strong chance that you will be able to reduce the amount of risk that your property faces throughout the winter.
