We have a lot of snow and ice on our roof--about 4 feet of snow and 2 inches of ice at the base. I've tried shovelling it, hoping it would just slide off, but no. The ice is frozen around the screw heads and it won't budge. Is there an easier way of doing this? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
2007-03-09 13:44:12 · 6 answers · asked by mrmacken 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
There's nothing you can safely do. My suggestion for next year is that you put a tarp over the roof before the snow falls. That keep the ice from adhering to the metal and protects it from the potential of rusting.
2007-03-09 13:47:16 · answer #1 · answered by GenevievesMom 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Hey! There's actually someone who has a house just like we do!
Anyway, lets get to the point. Do you really need to remove the snow because (you think) the load on the roof is too much? It probably isn't! In most cases, the roof should easily hold the additional weight of the snow until it melts. Otherwise, there isn't much you can do to get it off now. I would try dumping a few bags of solar salt* over the snow to melt some of it, but I wouldn't count on it getting the job done. I would NOT try heating the inside of your roof - simply because it won't work. If the snow has not begun to slide off of the roof at all, its because the roof is so heavily insulated that inside heat can't reach it! The base of the snow on our roof melts (and slides off) quickly - even when it's near freezing, simply because the roof is poorly insulated.
* http://www.mortonsalt.com/consumer/products/watersoftening/white_crystal_ss.htm
Sorry for the long answer - I was just trying to be informative!
2007-03-09 22:30:54 · answer #2 · answered by Ammy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
get a snow rake for pulling snow off of roofs, they come with extension poles so that you can reach up the roof almost 20'. it might be too late for this snow load if it has frozen into a solid lump. in that case, call a roofer, they will have the proper equipment to safely work up on your roof to remove the snow. next, consider having the roof coated in the summer so that the tin is sealed and most of the snow will slide off next winter. good luck, hope this helps.
2007-03-09 22:38:04 · answer #3 · answered by car dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please do not put yourself in danger. Your roof will be fine. Let the snow and ice stay until it melts naturally. Your tin roof is a lightweight roof so do not worry about snow build-up. Also if the snow load wont slide off now, that is good too. You dont have worry for it to fall off during thaw. It should just melt as nature intended.
2007-03-09 22:01:27 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
do you have heaters you can aim towards the roof or put in the attic (and keep watch over them) heat rises and will melt the snow from the bottom...other wise...use your water heaters water...there should be a faucet on the front of the water heater...put a hose on it, use gloves and squirt the water at the roof, from the TOP down...(they recommend you empty your water heater once a year anyway to clean out the 'stuff' in the bottom of the tank.)
2007-03-09 21:53:50 · answer #5 · answered by Chrys 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this doesn't help now but for next year might I recommend that you buy this stuff called "Ice Off" It is an automotive product for car windshields but I have used it on everything right down to the bottom of my kids sleds and my painted porch and it works wonders!!
2007-03-10 11:36:48 · answer #6 · answered by nivea41176 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋