Snow Sliding on Metal Roof

[kennyd]

Is the building heated??
I am wondering if the snow is melting on the bottom side forming ice and then sliding off?? Around here the snow just seems to melt from the top in a unheated building.

No heat whatsoever. Last year when it happened, the concrete was new-so I just thought it was the heat from it curing that did it-definitely no heat this year though.

 

[kennyd]

Snow gaurds, there is a pipe system or indivdual pcs.

The pipes are more for commercial/institutional apps and are always bolted down,
The individual ones are usualy hooked on to a nail under slate, but there is a stick on one that would be ideal for your app.

Zaleski Snow Guards for Roofs - Snow Guards for All Types of Roofs

The first ones shown have a 2 sided tape option. I've not installed them but have tested the sample tape and it is tough stuff.

This guy is the king of snow gaurds and has many patents, he happens to come from the next town to me where there are many old slate roof churchs, schools etc. to test them on.

His classic one is made of copper and slips between slate and hooks on the top of slate they are designed with a bunch of folds to hold it together, we use to say they were held together with spit

JB.

Thanks for the link I like the tape or glue option...

 

[kennyd]

mine were higher up last year, but very slow moving,
took days, and eventually they dropped off.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/photos/165397-slow-roof-slide.html

i don't worry about mine, the roof probably has been painted,
and isn't slippery at all, so that slows it's progress i think

I remember your picture from last year!

 

[Gizmo2]

No heat whatsoever. Last year when it happened, the concrete was new-so I just thought it was the heat from it curing that did it-definitely no heat this year though.

NO HEAT! Forget what I said this morning.

 

[slowzuki]

I have a metal roof on mine. The heated section unloads only slightly sooner than the unheated (less than an hour, sometime same time). Sometimes its slower depending on the snow type or freezing rain before hand etc.

 

[PILOON]

One downside of keeping the snow on a metal roof is that it will sweat inside like crazy, so much so that you will think it is raining.
This is not in all conditions, but trust me you'll find out soon.
Also I hope that the trusses are snow load rated as I have seen many collapse a couple of winters back in this area.

 

[20 20]

Piloon good points :thumbsup:

 

[JB4310]

One downside of keeping the snow on a metal roof is that it will sweat inside like crazy, so much so that you will think it is raining.
This is not in all conditions, but trust me you'll find out soon.
Also I hope that the trusses are snow load rated as I have seen many collapse a couple of winters back in this area.

It's a toss up,
My first impression was just live with the snow sliding off, even if you have to straighten gutters once in awhile, it's better than shoveling off roof.

On some roofs the snow gaurds do damage to the roof. On slate roof homes sometimes when heavy loads build up it will rip the gaurds out along with surounding slate.

On the old churches I work on the loads are wicked and tears up the HD pipe system almost every year, bends them like bannas and tears out the base plates once in awhile. I'm sure this year is gonna be bad. Look at pic, imagine the load coming off this roof, the pastor that lives in the rectory next door says it shakes the house and sounds like a freight train.


JB.

 

[oco]

Thanks for the link I like the tape or glue option...

I HIGHLY recommend going with a different option than the tape option. Something more like this that actually clamps on works and holds better: Standing Seam Snow Guard - Rib Guard 1 5/8" - Snow Guards

 

[kennyd]

I HIGHLY recommend going with a different option than the tape option. Something more like this that actually clamps on works and holds better: Standing Seam Snow Guard - Rib Guard 1 5/8" - Snow Guards

Thanks for the link-but mine is not a "standing seam" roof, so those won't work for me.