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I've found a few other posts on this topic but they're all pretty old and are now closed. I thought I'd see if there'd been anything new on this topic.
My roof is seven years old and is about a 6/12. The snow collects on the roof and does not slide off at all until temps go up a little and then it does a slow "ooze" off the roof creating a huge overhang (3-4 feet) until it breaks off.
The roof is painted red which I like but which also tends to fade sooner than other colors. Is it as simple as just cleaning and/or repainting the roof to regain a smooth surface again? Or are there other suggestions to regain a lower friction and allow the snow to slide off?
Codes require construction for snow loads up to 60 lb/sqft in our area and I've been told that our house is good for that. But last year we had a dumper that left about 2-3 ft of snow on the roof and it just sat there. I raked off what I could but the rest sat until it melted when temps came up. I'm concerned if we should get more/wetter/heavier snow sitting on the roof.
NOTE: I bought this house a year ago so this is my second winter.
Thanks in advance.
12/17/2019
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/24704/find/Thanks for your post. Is the snow actually turning to ice on the roof or does that not seem to be part of what is happening?
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
12/17/2019
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/24706/find/It depends. When it is "oozing" off the roof as I mentioned, we're in a situation where the temps keep going below freezing at night and above freezing in the day so the snow melts a little (only a little) and does a slow slide but not enough to drop off -- until there is just too much weight.
At other times, when we have more standard snow temps, it just accumulates on the roof and doesn't slide off. Last winter, I raked off what I could reach without getting on the roof. Maybe I am overthinking this but it just seems the snow should slide more than it does and not just sit on the roof.
12/18/2019
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/24708/find/Thank you. I was trying to determine if there was any chance that warm air from inside the home is reaching the bottom side of the snow load, and causing it to melt and then turn to ice when it reaches the cold eave overhangs. This is what is called an ice dam. It does not sound, though, like that is what you have happening. If it is, though, the answers usually involve sealing any air leaks from the house into the attic, and then adding attic floor insulation and making sure the attic ventilation is functioning properly, both intake and exhaust. I am not aware of any special coating you could apply to the roof to make it more slippery. Cleaning and repainting with a primer and top coat probably will restore some lubricity to the roof but air-dry finishes oxidize pretty quickly. Also, you'd void any remaining warranty on the roof by painting it. Your situation is unusual and not what we normally hear. Usually folks want to slow down the snow sliding from their roofs. So, I am a bit perplexed / grasping at straws. Feel free to email me photos of your home / roof and also tell me a bit about the ventilation in the attic ... and we will see if we can figure anything else out. My email is [email protected] Thank you. I am sorry for what you have encountered.
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
12/18/2019
Or copy this URL: https://www.metalroofing.com/spirit/comment/24709/find/