Cleaning the roof from snow and ice: careful and safe winter
In winter, a large amount of snow accumulates on the roof, which puts pressure on the roof system and roof covering. If 1 m of snow falls, then on a roof of 100 m2 its mass will be about 5 tons. After natural compaction, its weight doubles, and when wet, it becomes even larger. Ice freezing and thawing cycles are also detrimental to the roofing material. Moisture remaining in the drain, freezing, breaks the gutters, so they will need repair in the spring. The facade of the building suffers from icing, water begins to flow along the walls and destroy them when it freezes. Suffers and the foundation of the building. Cleaning the roof from snow and ice was the only preventive measure to avoid breaking its tightness. One of the important reasons that motivate owners to remove snow is the danger of spontaneous precipitation. If nothing is done, then such a situation could threaten the health and life of residents.
Causes of ice
When the temperature rises outside and due to heat loss through the roof, frost forms on the structure. The appearance of an ice build-up is especially dangerous for a flat roof, since the melt water moistens the insulation and impairs its protective qualities. There may be a leakage, penetrating to the ceiling in the house. To prevent such a situation, it is worthwhile to warm the attic room well and create ventilation. An effective but costly way is to lay an electric heating wire over the roof overhang. The cable with a strong sheath is laid in places of constant icing and equipped with sensors that react to humidity and temperature. The operation of the heating device begins during the thaw, and with significant negative temperature indicators the cable is disconnected.
Modern solution in the fight against frost - the roof covering with a hydrophobic composition that prevents the retention of precipitation on the roofing. The special composition reduces the adhesion of ice and roof and contributes to the rapid descent of ice. The composition is applied in the warm season, it covers any type of roof. Work is performed manually using a roller or brush.
Clean gutters
The system of water discharge from the roof during the winter period often does not cope with its functions. There are several reasons:
- the gutter has not been cleaned of leaves and dirt since autumn;
- melted during the day the water remains in the drain and freezes at night, forming an ice plug.
To remedy the situation, the garbage is cleaned out of the gutter, and the ice is melted with hot water. Quickly get rid of the snow in the gutter will allow the use of a special reagent "Solvent of snow and ice." It is filled in the amount of 200 g and lasts for three days. The composition of the drug is not dangerous to cover the roof. Timely installation of cable heating gutters eliminates the appearance of ice. Heating devices are divided into two types:
- Resistive - have a solid polymer shell and fit the entire length of the drain. One end is connected to the power supply, and the other is muffled by a coupling.
- Self-regulating - have the ability to change the heat in certain areas. Such a system is more expensive, but more effective.
Than to clean
It is impossible to avoid the appearance of snowdrifts, so mechanical cleaning is carried out with a snow cover of 30 cm. Shovels are used for cleaning, but the metal part of the implement can damage the coating, especially for soft roofs. You can safely clean the roof using a wooden or plastic shovel.
Note! If your roof is covered with a metal tile, you should purchase a shovel with a special working part made in the form of roofing waves. To remove the ice using special scrapers.
What to do to work safely
It is dangerous to perform work at height, therefore it is necessary to take precautions. The complexity of the work depends on the design of the roof and the angle of inclination of the slopes. It is easier to work on a shallow roof, but on steep slopes you cannot do without insurance. You need to take a strong rope and fasten on the skate, the other end is tied around the waist, but you need to work with a partner who will help in a difficult situation. Precaution is necessary not only at the height, but also on the ground - people should not be in the place of snow and icicles dropping. In order not to injure an accidental person, you must leave someone below to warn about the danger or to protect this territory.
With a small height of the roof, you can knock the icicles off the ground with a wooden shovel. Using a scraper with a long handle, you can peel off some of the snow near the eaves. Cleaning should be done in clothing, not chilling movement. Shoes are matched with non-slip, preferably studded soles. If there is a slippery surface under your feet, then ice-shoes will help you to fall.
Work begins from the eaves. If you start from the top point, you will not be able to throw snow to the end of the slope, and a large snowdrift will form on the roof, creating a critical load. After removing the snow cover in the lower part, gradually move to the ridge. Frost formed under snowdrifts is dangerous to knock down - this is fraught with damage to the tightness of the roof. Leave it, because after a while you can gently remove it with a scraper. After finishing work at height, you need to remove the snow dropped from the walls of the house.
Note! It is necessary to carry out cleaning of a covering from a bituminous tile with special care because the material on a frost becomes fragile.
Cleaning the snow cover from the roof requires caution and skill, but any home owner can handle it. Reliable wooden shovel, strong rope and partner - that's all you need to work.