How to Prevent Collapse of Chicago Roofing

chicago roofing collapse

Collapse of Chicago roofing is a serious structural failure that can affect other parts of a house. Since roof frames connect to the walls, there is a good reason to believe that the walls would also be affected if the frames are compromised.

The danger involved in a roof collapse makes it imperative that homeowners fully understand the way roofs work, particularly their load-bearing capacity.

Load Capacity. A residential roof can normally support up to 20 pounds per square foot of snow unless the roof structure is damaged or weakened. In mountainous and snow-prone areas in the United States the load capacity of roofs is much higher to enable them to withstand greater snow weight. You can check with your local building official to know if your house had higher loads at the time it was constructed.

Risk Evaluation. Snow tends to run off a roof that has a steeped slope, especially those with slopes greater than 3 inches per 12 inches of horizontal distance. In the northern areas, houses are generally built with steeper slopes or roof pitch. Snow accumulates more on low-sloped or flat roofs. Porches generally have low-pitched roofs. Furthermore, expect snow build up on sections of the home that are adjacent to higher parts of the house since snow blown by strong winds from taller places would fall there.

Estimating Snow Weight. Four feet of fresh snow on the roof weighs around 20 pounds. Two feet of packed snow weighs around 20 pounds. For ice, 1 inch of it is equivalent to around 1 foot of fresh snow.

Removing Snow. When the amount of snow that falls on your roof exceeds 20-25 pounds per square foot of roof space, consider the situation as serious or in the danger zone. You should consider removing the snow from the roof. For a safe removal of snow, you can use an extendible snow rake that is widely available at your local supply store to remove snow without going up the roof or leaving the safety of the ground. You can engage the services of a professional contractor to remove the snow too.

Preventing Snow. Aside from using a snow rake, other alternatives for preventing or removing snow and ice on the roof are available such as heat cables installed on the roof and calcium chloride placed inside nylon stockings and positioned strategically on the problem areas on the roof. Roof tablets may be used as well, which are simply thrown into the roof.

Roof Repair Calgary: Is Roof Melt by KMI Effective?

roof repair calgary

With global warming comes extreme climate fluctuations. People living in warm places suddenly experience cold weather while those residing in cold areas get healthy doses of sunshine. The unpredictability of the weather encourages homeowners to be prepared for any eventuality.

For those living in the Northern Hemisphere, snow is something that comes every year during the winter season. The onset of snow causes multiple issues on proper roof maintenance. A very common problem associated with snow is the formation of ice dams on the roof and gutter. Neglecting to address this problem could cause not only roof damage but also ruin things inside the house from leaking water.

People have devised various methods in roof repair Calgary to address ice dams such as removing the snow on the roof with a roof rake, installing heat cables on the roof, and hacking away the snow with axes, ice picks and similar tools. These approaches require you to get up on the roof or ladder to physically remove the snow or install the cables. A different approach is using roof tablets that are designed to be thrown on the roof.

Roof Melt by KMI

We examine one such product, the Roof Melt tablets by KMI. The tablets are made from calcium chloride and are available in a 60-tablet container.

Roof Melt is designed to prevent damage to your roof caused by the formation of ice dams. Its manufacturer hypes the safety aspect and convenience in using this product. Unlike other ice dam-prevention products that necessitate the user to step up the ladder or go up on the roof, Roof Melt will not require you to go up elevated places. Just toss a few tablets on the roof and it will start working. No ladders or other tools are needed. Simply throw a Roof Melt tablet on a square foot of area on the roof and it will begin working within one hour. It is said to have no long term adverse effect on roofs.

Mixed Customers Reviews

The reactions of customers to the usefulness of the product are mixed. Some praise its worthiness and attest to its effectiveness in removing ice dam issues while keeping their roofs safe. Others say it did not make any difference. Some even claim that the tablets damaged their roof.

A common issue with the use of Roof Melt tablets is accurately placing them on the affected areas just by throwing them up to the roof. Most do not land on the intended area or bounced off the roof and get lost in the snowbank. To be effective, the tablets must be placed above the ice formation and not directly on the ice.

Roofing Denver: Roof Protection For Winter

roofing denver snow

Roofs absorb all the brunt from the cold winter weather. Therefore, it should be sturdy enough to withstand the harsh condition of winter with its ice and snow. In fact, cold weather demands special requirements for roof materials, design and maintenance. A strong and solid roof above give comfort to your family knowing that your home is safe.

While the incorporation of a durable roof is basic in roofing Denver home construction, homeowners still have to perform maintenance work to keep roofs in tiptop shape even during the harshest winters. Some of the problems you may encounter if you reside in the snowy areas of the US such as Denver, and their practical solutions are:

1. Ice Dams. One of the common problems associated with cold weather is ice dam formation on the eaves. Heat from the roof melts snow, which runs down the roof to the eaves. Ice dam forms on the eaves if the water cools before draining from the roof. Large ice dams could damage the roofing, flashings, gutters, downspouts, roof drainage system, building structure and interior.

Solution. Make sure there is sufficient insulation and ventilation on your attic. You can also install membrane underlayment below the roofing material to prevent water leaks to the house.

2. Obstructions on Downspouts. Dirt and debris could mix with ice and snow on your roof and eventually find their way down the gutter and downspout. These materials accumulate over time and could potentially block the downspout, preventing melting snow and ice from draining down to the ground.

Solution. Regularly check the areas around the downspouts and clear away dirt and other debris that could block the passage.

3. Snow. Snow and ice formation on roofs is a common occurrence during winter season. Depending on the weather, the volume of snow could exceed the load-bearing capacity of your roof, posing a serious risk of collapse.

Solution. A special tool called a roof rake, purposely created for this purpose, could be used to scrape off snow and ice accumulation on the roof.

4. Gutter Ice. Ice normally builds up in gutters during the cold winter months. If the buildup of ice becomes too heavy, your gutter could give in and totally rip away from your house.

Solution. The solution is fairly easy. Just use chisel or hammer to chip away the ice formation. Be careful not to damage the gutter to avoid costly repairs. You could also call your local roofing contractor to make sure the work is properly done.