Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Mar 03, 2003 05:22am | #1

   The snow gaurds I am familiar with are bigger - angled Lexan about 2-12" x4" and need four to six fasteners each. I never use less than four 5/16" x 1-1/4" fastener aiming for through-penetration of decking. I use Geocel for moisture sealing and as glue adhesion at attachment points

   It sounds to me like your failure was in the fastening, rather than the design. It sounds like you are describing a bar type with two fasteners at occasional locations. There is far less fastening in what you describe than in what I am familiar with. Almost any system or roof penetration is always required to have through-penetration, meaning that if the decking is 5/8" inch, the fastener should run through it by at least 1/4". Since you describe only a 1/2" penetration, your deck would only be 1/4" thick. The diameter of the fasteners is questionable for this application also, unless they are very specially made screws.

   It may not be the fault of the manufacturer if that is what you are asking about. I have no doubt that they had specific installation instructions if they were offering a gaurantee. I am also sure that the gaurantee specifically states that it is void if those instructions are not adhered to.

   You should be able to Google for the manufacturer and navigate to their specifics.

   Good Luck.

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   toast953 | Mar 03, 2003 08:17am | #2

   Good evening Piffin, I agree with you, ie, point of attachment, weak,  not enough screws and also not long enough. Though, this metal roof is probaly 24 gauge, I'am a guessing , that whoever installed the Snow Guard, figured that the metal itself was strong enough to hold. I'am also guessing that , this was "Not" installed to Manufacter's Specs. It's a local Guttering  Company, been in business for at least 6 years. My neighbors are a little concerned though, for they have not recieved a return phone call from the guttering company. The screws used were  ordinary self tapping screws.  I'am just trying to get a feel  for the right way to do snow guards, give my neighbors a friend in their corner, that be me. Also, are gutter's uncommon in snow country??, myself, I personally do not like gutter's . Were you saying Piffin, that the angeled Lexan, is 12" flat on the deck, with a 4" upright Flange?? Be Safe out there, Jim Jensen  p.s. I hate guessing

2. 
   Jeff | Mar 03, 2003 03:38pm | #3

   I don't consider myself any expert on this, but a few thoughts.

   Here in Vermont (snow country) the guards are usually to stop

   dripping water over doors, and not stop snow.

   When we attach guards, we lag them to the rafters not the plywood.

   We also try to use a heavy metal angle that won't flex easily.

   The last one we put up took 2 people to lift, it was heavy.

   Jeff