Andrew T. Montagna, CIC

The unprecedented snow load on roofs in many parts of the country has led to some building damage and collapse.  According to reports from several localities, schools, churches, commercial and residential buildings, carports and awnings have been affected. 

First and foremost, if you have suffered storm damage to your property, we can help guide you in the next steps on how best to manage the process. Please feel free to give us a call. We certainly have the expertise to help after this winter!

Now that we're experiencing melting, take the following precautions to help prevent further damage:

• Clear areas around downspouts so that water from melting snow has a path to flow away from the house or building.
• Remove snow from side walls to prevent high snow mounds from pushing them in.
• Temporarily shore up and brace dipping or sagging roofs or walls.
• Improper operation of doors or windows, deflection of ceiling finishes or exposed beams, roof leaks or sprinkler heads moved from their normal positions could be signs of roof failure.

Owners and residents of flat roof buildings in particular are urged to be aware of the possible snow load danger.  If you have questions about your building's condition, contact a structural engineer or your local building official for an assessment

of the conditions. The Gaudreau Group can help you with that process.  Please just call us, and we can assist with specialists and services to help.

Hopefully, we won't see any more large snow storms this year.  But just in case...here are some steps you can take to protect yourself, your employees, and your property:

• Watch for falling snow and ice from roofs.
• Don't put untrained individuals on roofs to clear snow. Falls from roofs and possible exposure to electrical wires while on the roof are serious hazards.
• Inspect roofs for leaks or structural deficiencies that may develop during the storm.
• Make certain gutters, drains and downspouts are clear of ice and debris.
• Clear snow and ice away from exhaust vents that go through exterior walls.
• Clear decks of snow to reduce stress on them.

ICE DAMS

Avoid the costly collision of hot and cold and reduce the risk that ice dams will form and create a soggy mess. When heat from the interior of a building with a sloped roof escapes into the attic space, it warms the underside of the roof. Meanwhile,

the roof eave outside the heated space remains at a colder temperature. As snow accumulates on the rooftop, it melts over the warmer portion of the attic and runs down the roof. When it encounters the cold edge of the roof it refreezes. The refrozen water along the roof edge creates an "ice damming" condition, and consequently, the melted

snow running down the roof begins to back up underneath the roof covering. This water will soak the roof sheathing and leak into the attic unless there is a barrier above the sheathing.  An appropriately installed secondary moisture barrier will help prevent the water from entering your property and damaging your structure and its contents.

You can prevent ice dams by ventilating and insulating your attic.

If you do have the unfortunate experience of an ice dam, here are some tips to minimize damage:

• Remove ice and snow from the roof to allow proper drainage. Be careful when performing this task as you can fall, be struck by falling objects or contact electrical lines. Use a snow rake to remove the snow from the ground, if possible.
• If there is an existing ice dam, melt a channel through the ice to the roof surface to create a drain path to relieve water build up.  (An easy way to do this is to fill the leg of panty hose with calcium chloride ice melter and place that on the roof. The long tube can melt a patch through the ice to allow drainage. You can refill or replace the ice melter to keep the channels open. Make sure the channel extends to the roof edge or gutter.)  You can engage the services of your roofing contractor to remove ice build up
• If you observe water damage, hire a restoration service to dry out the walls, ceiling and structure. Not addressing minor damage can cause rot, decay and more extensive problems.
• Contact your roofer and an insulation company to correct the ventilation and heat transfer issues in your attic. This can prevent future problems.
• When replacing a roof, add an ice and water shield membrane at the edge of the roof and extend it at least five feet up the roof to protect this area against water intrusion.