One of the major side effects of owning a flat roofed building is that they don’t do very well with snow. A high level of labor is needed to deal with leaks, and constantly removing snow during the winter. Because the pitch of a flat roof is extremely shallow, still water can often result in clogged drains.
How much snow your roof can handle, directly correlates to whether it is fluffy or wet. Is rain in the forecast? In reality, unless you get a recommendation from a building official, when to shovel your roof is based off of an educated guess.
It’s usually a rule of thumb to remove any snow that reaches 18 inches or more. While low pitched and flat roofs are more prone to overloading based off the angle, you will need to clear your roof off more often than others. If rain is in the forecast after a big snow storm, try removing everything before it compacts.
Along with flat and low pitched roofs, be sure to notice any valley, skylights and dormers as they can be concern for snow drifts and extra weight.
Many garages, decks and outbuildings weren’t built recently and back in the day, there were less standards, and regulations. Be sure to not only pay attention to your home but also to these structures as well. We often see these buildings getting damaged by heavy snow the most.
For more information about snow roof shoveling, feel free to reach out to the Rhode Island Slate Roofing specialists. We provide efficient and effective snow roof removal for residents and businesses throughout Rhode Island.
