Flat Roof Heavy Snow

Heavy loads of wet snow can eventually lead to shingle damage stress on load bearing walls and even roof collapse.

Flat roof heavy snow. Excessive rain heavy snow and built up ice all pose extra challenges for flat roofed homes. For any rafter the portion of the roof deck that transfers this load is the tributary area. And whenever it snows the flat roof supports an additional insulating blanket. This is not a job you want to do yourself especially if your home is two or more stories high.

The roof deck collects the snow load and transfers the weight to the rafters. If your home has a roof with a substantial pitch ice dams and clogged gutters can still prevent snow from sliding off. The very notion of shelter is linked to the image of a roof above. In this video i dispel 5 common myths surrounding the use of flat roofs in snowy climates.

Neither of these are accurate. Although most flat roofs actually feature a slight pitch they still collect more rain snow and debris than traditional roofs making them a safety liability. That means 12 inches of snow on a flat roof creates an additional r 12 of insulation that arrives at a time of year when you most need it. If you live in the us our snow load calculator compares the total weight on your roof with the permissible load calculated according to the standards issued by the american society of civil engineers regarding the minimum design loads for buildings and other structures asce7 16.

Another is that they cannot handle as much snow weight as pitched roofs because the snow sits directly on the roof. It extends outward in both. Helmet heat is wired throughout your gutters and downspouts. If you have noticed an unusual amount of heavy snow accumulating on your roof you should call a professional experienced roof contractor or roof snow removal contractor.

Helmet heat is a self regulating heating system that melts the snow and ice before it can form into damaging mounds weighing down on your roof line gutters and downspouts. Here at pro roofers we specialize in flat roof installation and maintenance and over the years we have gathered a wealth of expertise concerning flat roofs so let s set the record straight. Flat roofs known for being stylish modern and efficient hit a lot of items on your home bucket list. The r value or resistance to heat flow for snow is about r 1 per inch.

Caring for your flat roof in winter. There are a few common misconceptions regarding flat roofs that are stubbornly persistent. But they also come with a reputation for leaks cracks and collapse.