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How to Stop Snow From Sliding Off Metal Roof | Top 5 Solutions
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How to Stop Snow From Sliding Off Metal Roof | Top 5 Solutions

Posted by SnoBlox-Snojax on Mar 2nd 2023

How to Stop Snow From Sliding Off Metal Roof | Top 5 Solutions

Snow sliding off metal roofs can cause serious damage to property, vehicles, and even people. If you have a metal roof, it’s important to take steps to prevent sliding snow. Fortunately, there are several solutions that can help with this problem.

In this blog post, we will discuss the top five ways of preventing snow from sliding off your metal roof so that you can keep your home safe and secure during winter months.

Read on to learn more about these methods and how they could benefit you!

Everything You Need to Know About Snow Guards and Metal Roofs

Snow breaks and snow guards on metal roofs are an essential part of winterizing your home. They help to prevent a roof avalanche that can cause damage to property or injure people below. Snow breaks provide a physical barrier between the roof and its surroundings, breaking up large amounts of snow into smaller chunks that are less likely to slide off in one go.

Installing snow guards is relatively easy, but it’s important to use the right type of material for your particular roof and climate conditions. Here's what you need to know.

How Do Roof Snow Guards Work?

Snow Guards provide an extra layer of protection, preventing massive chunks of ice and snow from sliding off of a metal roof in one go. Instead, these sturdy structures break up large piles into more manageable pieces. Roof snow guards are essential for any rooftop during colder months if you live in an area prone to snow falling; make sure you have them ready to go before winter strikes!

Snow guards can be used to stop large chunks of snow from avalanching off the roof. For this reason, snow guards are a part of a snow retention system. This means as snow accumulates on the roof, the snow guards or snow fence will hold onto the snow instead of allowing gravity to take its course. Once the snow gets too heavy, the snow guards will allow small chunks to slide free without any danger to the people or property below.

Image showing extreme snow fall on roof and beside building

Why You Need Snow Guards On Your Metal Roof?

Snow guards are essential for any metal roof in areas with moderate to heavy snowfall. Snow guards create a protective barricade between your rooftop and its environment, allowing large amounts of snow to break down into smaller blocks that are less likely to cause damage. This makes them an important part of winterizing your home.

Furthermore, installing snow guards is relatively easy as long as you use the right type of material for your particular roof and climate conditions. It's also important to install them at the right time of year depending on the method used. Snow guards can be installed in winter, however,  adhesive-mounted guards may not fully cure during the winter. Bar systems and screw-down guards can be installed year-round. Therefore, it is highly recommended that anyone with a metal roof should consider investing in some form of snow stoppers to protect their home when winter comes around!

How Far Apart Do You Put Snow Guards?

Having snow guards on your metal roof is essential if you want to prevent sliding snow from causing havoc. Snow guards provide an extra layer of protection, allowing snow to melt away safely by allowing small chunks to slip free in a controlled manner. But how far apart should you place them?

This all depends on the size and shape of the roof as well as the amount of snowfall expected in your area. Proper spacing will ensure that each guard can hold onto enough weight before releasing small amounts at a time without any danger to people or property below. With this knowledge in mind, be sure to properly plan out where each guard should go before  installation! Multiple rows may be required to properly protect a roof. Be sure to consult with the manufacturer to obtain a custom  layout.

For more information on how to space snow guards, check out this SnoBlox-SnoJax snow guard spacing guide .

Where To Place Snow Guards On Metal Roof?

When it comes to protecting your metal roof from snow and ice, the placement of snow guards is essential. But where should you install snow guards for the best results?

For optimum protection, it's best to place the snow guards near the edge of your roof. This will provide the most coverage and stability as there is less chance of snow sliding off in one go. However, if you have a complex-shaped roof then it may be better to place them evenly throughout so that no area is left vulnerable.

Image showing a home after a heavy snowfall

What Is A Snow Bar/Rail For?

Snow rails provide a strong and visually appealing retention system to prevent damage from sliding snow and ice. Snow rails are typically made from either steel or aluminum and come in various sizes depending on your needs. There are various mounting brackets and clamps that make them perfect for almost any roof type.

At What Pitch Does Snow Slide Off A Metal Roof?

To install the correct snow retention system, it's important to understand how to stop snow from sliding off metal roof (Note: This sentence looks funny, but it's an important keyword. Please leave it as is) in an uncontrolled manner. The pitch of a metal roof makes a big difference when it comes to snow retention. Generally speaking, the lower the pitch of your roof, the more likely it is to allow snow accumulation. However, this can vary depending on the type and amount of snowfall as well as other environmental factors such as wind strength and temperature. As a general rule of thumb, metal roofs with pitches of 6/12 or higher are more likely to experience damaging roof avalanches due to the dynamic forces of the movement of snow and ice down the steeper slopes.

By understanding roof pitch and taking steps to prevent snow slides, you can protect your home from damage caused by heavy snowfall.

What About Ice Dams?

Ice dams can be a major source of damage to metal roofs during the winter. They form when melting snow refreezes at the edge of or near the gutter, causing an accumulation of ice that can cause gutters and shingles to break off.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent ice dams from forming on your roof. The most effective method is to install an ice membrane along the eaves of your roof, which prevents snowmelt from entering and refreezing when temperatures drop. Additionally, proper insulation in the attic can help regulate heat and keep your roof free of ice dams.

Conclusion

Snow guards and snow rails are important parts of effective metal roof snow retention systems. When installed properly, they can help protect your roof against damaging roof avalanches during the winter months. It's important to take the time to understand how to space the guards correctly, as well as what pitch is needed to ensure that snow melts off slowly over time. Additionally, ice dams can be prevented with proper insulation and an ice membrane.

By understanding these concepts, you can help protect your roof from the damaging effects of icy conditions!

Hope this article has been helpful in explaining the importance of metal roof snow retention systems. If you have any further questions or would like more information, don't hesitate to reach out to our team at SnoBlox-SnoJax!

Thank you for reading! 

THE SNOBLOX-SNOJAX SNOW GUARDS DIFFERENCE

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    Our database of compatible snow guards for various Roof Panel Manufacturers and their panels.