We have a standing seam steel roof which tends to hold onto snow. It’s about a 3/12 pitch, oriented North. I gave it a good scrub and am wondering if there is something I could spray onto the surface that would let the snow and ice slide off. Floor wax? Silcone spray. Any thoughts?
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Being that the slope is only 3/12 and facing north you are not going to get a lot of snow movement. Snow that slowly accumlates tends to lock itself into a unified mass. I have a 6/12 pitched metal roof with the peak running east and west. The color of the roof is green. I live at nearly 46 degrees latitude so the sun angle is pretty low. In January on a sunny day the south side of of the roof will be bare by noon of any accumulated snow in all but sub zero temperatures. The north side won't even budge until the air temperature gets into the 40's for several days. When the accumulated snow on the north side decides to come off it is quite a sight. There are snow guards that will prevent rapid sliding of accumulated snow available. If there is any kind of foot traffic in the area I would need to install them. Since there is not I don't have them installed. I have a second metal roofed building with a 4/12 pitch and a east/west facing roof. Roof is white in color. This roof holds the snow much longer than the 6/12 pitched roof. Both sides will slide off at nearly the same time. I have thought about spraying silicone on this particular roof but never tried it. Would be interested if anyone has any information on this. Roger
Why do you want it to shed the snow? And how much snow do you get?
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We're in VT in a 30 year old post and beam with a shed roof. After 3 feet or so of snow accumulates on the roof, some of the second floor doors won't close. It's a lot of weight, especially since the bottom 3 inches can be ice, and I'm not real sure the frame was well-engineered when it was built.
I agree, sounds like you need to lose some snow. Unfortunately, I don't know of anything short of shoveling or blowing the snow.I had a similar snow load years ago in Montana. We had a 6/12 pitch with steel roofing. When the snow came off, it came off all at once and the house would jump a little like we had a minor earthquake.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." Voltaire
I use a roof rake for snow removal. That prevents snow from turning to ice and snow buildup on the roof. I use a Garelick Roof Rake and really like it.
There is one at http://www.idealtruevalue.com/servlet/the-2017/Detail
Edited 10/3/2006 1:16 am by gb93433
That's the same one I use. Love that thing.
I put a couple layers of electrical tape on the whole length of the bottom pole. I stay W-A-Y clear of the entrance mast, but accidents do happen...
snow load...
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Can you reach half way up with a roof rake? Ususally you just have to give the white stuff a hint of what needs to be done. Once it gets moving, it sort of learns the rest of the route. I use an aluminum one that has little rollers to protect the roofing from scrapes. When HD and Lowes moved into the area a few years ago, Builders' Square folded and had the rakes at 80% off. After I used it a couple times I realized it was worth the full retail price. The gizmo has the right angle and it is light, but sturdy enough for the two foot+ snows we get.